Hypothetical Question About Filter Cleaning

So, I know we are supposed to swish our filters in dirty tank water and I do that, it's just difficult. I have a python so that is difficult for me to get a bucket full of water from the tank. So I have two questions: 1. if you have a python, how do you get your dirty tank water to clean your filters? 2. could I just prime a bucket of tap water and swish my filters in this?

Just curious on what everyone else does! I would like to make my life easier so any suggestions would be great!

 

I think the swishing a bucket with Prime is a great solution. I too have a python. I use a canister and I have to admit that I commit the heresy of rinsing sponges under tap water occasionally due to this issue. That being said, I have not lost my cycle.

 

A bucket with prime will work just fine.

 

I live in a rural area and use well water so it doesn't have any ammonia in my water. I rinse mine out with tap water, I do it once about every two weeks, not very long but enough to get the worst out. I too am cycled and have not lost my cycle through using this process. I think if I did it every week however, I'd be in real danger of losing my cycle. Which is why I don't do it weekly.

 

I don't have a python but couldn't you scoop out some water from your tank with a bowl and swish it around in that?

 

I live in a rural area and don't have ammonia in my water. I rinse mine out with tap water, I do it once about every two weeks, not very long but enough to get the worst out. I too am cycled and have not lost my cycle through using this process. I think if I did it every week however, I'd be in real danger of losing my cycle. Which is why I don't do it weekly.

It is not ammonia in tap water that kills your BB, it is the Chlorine in the water.....most tap water has chlorine in it.....That is what the prime is for. Yes it detoxifies ammonia, but it's purpose is to dechlorinate the tap water. Its a dechlorinator. So if you tap water has Chlorine, which it should (unless it is well water), then you are killing your BB every time you do that....

Edit: to the OP, I also use tank water to wash mine (even though I use the python) But a bucket of treated water works too!

 

It is not ammonia in tap water that kills your BB, it is the Chlorine in the water.....most tap water has chlorine in it.....That is what the prime is for. Yes it detoxifies ammonia, but it's purpose is to dechlorinate the tap water. Its a dechlorinator. So if you tap water has Chlorine, which it should (unless it is well water), then you are killing your BB every time you do that....

It is well water, I should have been more specific

 

It is well water, I should have been more specific

Yep, that definitely makes a difference! LOL

But you said it was due to no ammonia, when the problem is chlorine in tapwater, not ammonia in tapwater.

 

I don't have a python but couldn't you scoop out some water from your tank with a bowl and swish it around in that?

I do that, but I forget sometimes when I get going on working on the tank.

I am so glad to hear that I can just swish in a bucket of Prime treated water! Thanks Team Fishlore for responding!

 

I have a python, but I also don't use it the way it's intended to be used either. All I do is start the suction the old fashioned way instead of using sink suction. I fill my 5G bucket up first then place the hose in the bath tub. I find you really don't need to use the sink to aid in suction if you don't need to fight gravity that much. I.E draining higher than the water level of the tank.

 

I have a 50 ft python. I have a lot of trouble with the water pressure in my house; we had a special device added to lower the pressure since our pipes kept breaking! Now it is really, really low pressure.

 

I have an ice cream container I fill with water and swish media in. I scoop. I swish. I water plants.

 

I use a 1 gallon juice pitcher to scoop water from the tank. Plenty of room to rinse the media in.

 

why can't you just take water out of the tank to clean the filter? That's what I do.

 

why can't you just take water out of the tank to clean the filter? That's what I do.

If you look back at the earlier posts, this has already been mentioned multiple times. I think the OP gets it. Lol

 

If you look back at the earlier posts, this has already been mentioned multiple times. I think the OP gets it. Lol

I was reading through quite a few posts but yeah...Thanks biz for being rude as per usual.

 

I was reading through quite a few posts but yeah...Thanks biz for being rude as per usual.

I'm sorry...what?????!!!!!!

 

I was reading through quite a few posts but yeah...Thanks biz for being rude as per usual.

Whoa...what's your problem?

 

I was reading through quite a few posts but yeah...Thanks biz for being rude as per usual.

Wow that's kind of uncalled for..........

 

Whoa...what's your problem?

I don't have a problem. While typing, some times several posts get posted in front of the post I am typing. That is especially true if I have children or large dogs that need attention. I don't need someone to tell me that "Duh...that's been covered." It is not the first time I have witnessed such rudeness. I thought I had hit ignore on her profile. I won't comment on this any more as it does not pertain to the question. There are quite a few of us that are tired of the rudeness and arrogance. Her comment did not need to be made and it was in no way helpful to the OP.

 

There are quite a few of us that are tired of the rudeness and arrogance. Her comment did not need to be made and it was in no way helpful to the OP.

Well if you want to go there....your comment was just a repeat of advice that had already been given 2 days prior...so it did not need to be made either.

 

I don't think biz was trying to be rude though.

No need to start a public fight over anything. If you must fight it's better to be done in PM.

 

I don't think biz was trying to be rude though.

She meant it lightedheartedly...

 

She meant it lightedheartedly...

Yes it was lighthearted. That's why I had "lol" at the end.

She had inadvertently rehashed something in this thread that was already covered 2 days prior. I was just trying to kindly point out that the ship had sailed!! Nothing personal!!! My goodness!!!!!!

 

Before I siphon, I just take a cup and get some water from the tank out into a small bucket. The rest of the water after that, can be directed out with the Python to another source, such as backyard or sink/tub.