When I pull my sponge filter (from a suction cup) off the bottom of the tank up out of the aquarium all the dirt and slime spills into the water. There isn't much left to wash off the sponge and the dirt is still floating in the water. I've tried grabbing the sponge with a paper towel or plastic bag over my hand to keep dirt from floating off, but it doesn't seem to work.
2006-10-24 08:04:16 · 8 answers · asked by spamela000 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
You don't need to change/clean your sponge unless you pick it up and press it with your fingers and it doesn't bounce back. If it still rebounds, don't do anything with it. The sponge is the main host for the tank's beneficial bacteria. If you change it, you will most likely send your tank through a mini-cycle which will stress your fish out. If you squeeze it and it doesn't rebound, try taking it out and rinsing it in a bucket of water treated with decholorinator. After you rinse it off in the water, if it still doesn't rebound, then you should replace it completely. You shouldn't have to do this more than once every six months (or longer).
2006-10-24 08:44:17 · answer #1 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a bucket and put in the water and part way under the bottom of the filter. Then when you pull the suction cup off and all the dirt starts to scatter then lift up the bucket and you will get most of the mess in the bucket rather than in the water.
I have that type of filter for my turtle's tank and this is my method. It seems to work fairly well.
2006-10-24 08:17:21 · answer #2 · answered by Kamunyak 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suggest that you get an interpet power filter. They are new, and they are voted as the best. They have a valve which actually keep all the water in the filter, so the water is trapped inside and it doeasnt wash out, along with the dirt.
I never appreciated this, since I am a beginner and I used this filter as my first one, but I hear alot of people having problems with the dirt coming out, and I am more than happy with it.
It is a UK product though...
2006-10-24 12:56:46 · answer #3 · answered by Nostromo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What type of filter is it? Canister filters usually come with 3 different media. Mechanical (the sponge), biological (bio balls or ceramic rings) , and chemical (charcoal). If all these are present you should be able to clean or your sponge without losing any of the important bacteria.
2016-05-22 08:27:28 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn the filter off.... remove it from the tank (put a bucket under so you don't get your floor all wet) and then clean it.... you can rinse the filter to take all that dirt off.. just don't rubb it so you don't take the beneficial bacteria with you.... Its also a good idea to take the motor off the filter and clean it very good... if it gets clogged it will affect your filtration.......
2006-10-24 08:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by Ricky 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can try to move it into a cup or something before you take it out of the water. I don't like those kinds of filter for that reason.
2006-10-24 08:17:26 · answer #6 · answered by Nunya Biznis 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first turn off your filter....... take the filter out all 3 components..... clean foam and put it back make sure empty the filter but dont wash with sopa. ...... just wipe or rinse..... good luck
2006-10-28 04:53:06 · answer #7 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a new one
2006-10-24 08:08:27 · answer #8 · answered by C live 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋