Canister Filter Maintenance

[willsher]

I have a 29 Gallon tank setup that has been running for about 3 months. The tank has finally cycled. I can find no traces of Ammonia or Nitrites. The problem I have is that I got my tank to cycle by not messing with my filters for a long time. No cleaning or changing charcoal or anything. I am worried though that there may be some crud build up in my canister filter that may end up stressing out the pump inside. I'm not worried about the hang on filter I have going because too much water will simply overflow into the tank if blocked.

How can I properly clean the canister filter though without affecting too much of the bacteria colinization? I am thinking about picking up whatever supplies are recommended ie: charcoal and sponges for the canister this weekend. Please let me know what I should do.

Thanks

 

[garbon2535]

Just clean or change the pad in the filter, replace the carbon, and put the filter back in service. Do not do anything with the bio media. If you use rings as a pre-filter you can rinse those as well. Also, fill up and rinse out the inside of the canister. This process should take 15 minuets. All the nitrifying bacteria living on your bio-media should surive the whole ordeal.

 

[willsher]

Do you recommend using Pre-Filter inserts? I currently am using 1 level with charcoal, the second level with charcoal/ammo chip mix, and the 3rd and lasst with bio media ceramic rings.

 

[mostlycichlids]

fill it up with ceramic in the top and middle and foam in the bottom. Rinse all the sponges and bio media in tank water not tap water. I would use the HOB's for chemical filteration (carbon).

 

[Mgamer20o0]

Just clean or change the pad in the filter, replace the carbon, and put the filter back in service. Do not do anything with the bio media. If you use rings as a pre-filter you can rinse those as well. Also, fill up and rinse out the inside of the canister. This process should take 15 minuets. All the nitrifying bacteria living on your bio-media should surive the whole ordeal.

clean the sponges or filter pads with tank water. dont replace them unless you want to go though a mini cycle. i only change them when they are falling apart. i dont run any carbon in my tanks. its only active for a week. only point is when your trying to get rid of meds or something out of your tank.