How to Clean a Fish Tank Filter

Keeping your fish tank filter clean is important to maintaining the health of your aquarium. A dirty filter can clog up your filtration system and cause ammonia levels to go up. The good news is that you can do a little cleaning every couple of weeks to keep your tank happy and healthy.

There are two primary ways to clean your filter. One is through mechanical means and the other involves biological filtration. The latter requires you to remove the filter from the tank and scrub out the nooks and crannies. You can do this with a sponge, or by using a commercial cleaning device. You can also use leftover water from the tank.

The aquarium glass is another important component of the fish tank. Its shinny surface can get gunky with algae and other debris, reducing the flow rate of the water. This is especially true if your tank is filled with coralline algae. You might need to swab the glass with pure vinegar or warm conditioned water to get rid of the muck.

The aquarium filter is the heart of your tank. It filters the water and helps to filter out harmful chemicals and bacteria that can make your fish sick. A dirty filter will not only affect the flow rate of your water, but will also harm the fish as well. To clean an aquarium filter, you will need a sponge, or a commercial cleaning device, as well as a bucket of old tank water.

The bio-wheel is another part of your aquarium filtration system. Its function is similar to a canister filter. This part of your filter should be floated in your tank to keep it from drying out. You can also rinse it out with tank water or a soft polymer mesh.

Its a good idea to have at least two sponges in your filter. The aforementioned sponge should be replaced every six weeks. You should also replace the pad on your filter after each cleaning. Using a sponge to clean the filter will help to remove debris and clogs from the filter.

Another useful fish tank cleaning trick is to remove the lid from the filter. This will allow you to clean the impeller. The best part of this trick is that it is easy to do and will make your filter last longer. Besides, removing the lid will also allow you to clean the impeller without disturbing the fish.

If you have a mechanical filter, you can simply scrub out the nooks and crannies with a sponge. You can also replace the impeller with an earbud or a new magnetic impeller.

You should also replace your filter floss if you have one. This is the last thing water passes through the filter, so it needs to be cleaned out. If you are unsure, ask your fish store or the manufacturer of your filter. They should be able to tell you how to clean your filter for you.