Aquariums: Should I rinse my sponge filter in tank water
there are this slimy slimy stuff that blocks the water flow of my filter, my tanks is still cycling, should I rinse it with tank water or should I let it sit still
Posted by Reasonable_Peace6398
8 Comments
mortonak on
Never really a bad idea to rinse in tank water! If it’s blocking the flow, then I say yes. The slime is likely just biofilm, and rinsing it off shouldn’t affect the beneficial bacteria.
Squiddykneez on
Do it to tank water that’s not actually in your tank. Like, suck some out into a bucket then squeeze it out, also, a lot of people don’t really bother to use tank water, they just take the sponge to the sink and rinse it there (myself included my fish are fine) ideally you don’t want it to look brand spanking new, just get the majority of the guck out.
Because your tank is still cycling though I think for this round of media cleaning it’s probably worth it to use tank water though.
SteerNaught on
Rinse it out with dechlorinated water so your beneficial bacteria aren’t all euthanised.
Big_477 on
I’m far from being an expert, but I heard to always wash your filter in tank water (in a separate bucket, easy while changing water) in order not to kill the majority of the biodiversity of your tank with chlorine. Then you can dispose of the waste water without messing your tank.
kaleca21 on
If your tanks still cycling then I’d rinse it in tank water, otherwise under the tap is fine.
Nostradumbass_WEEN on
People will down vote me because this “must clean in tank water” thing is one of those wives tales we have all been told since we began the hobby. But, the truth is no, you dont have to wash your filter media in tank water. The beneficial bacteria are not wiped out instantly when they contact the chlorine and chloromine in your tap water.
You may lose a negligible amount but the bacteria generally need to be exposed for several minutes in order for it to be even noticeably affected by it.
So, unless you are letting it soak for 5-10 minutes, it is perfectly safe to rinse your media under the tap, give it a few squeezes then pop it back in the tank. Your cycle will not suffer. Been doing it for YEARS. I learned this from a marine biologist and never looked back.
NewSauerKraus on
Rinsing in tap water works fine. If it does not give you chemical burns like pure bleach it’s not going to harm bacteria during the few minutes or less it takes to rinse a filter.
HunsonAbadeer2 on
I just now understand the rational behind it since we do not have chlorine in our water
8 Comments
Never really a bad idea to rinse in tank water! If it’s blocking the flow, then I say yes. The slime is likely just biofilm, and rinsing it off shouldn’t affect the beneficial bacteria.
Do it to tank water that’s not actually in your tank. Like, suck some out into a bucket then squeeze it out, also, a lot of people don’t really bother to use tank water, they just take the sponge to the sink and rinse it there (myself included my fish are fine) ideally you don’t want it to look brand spanking new, just get the majority of the guck out.
Because your tank is still cycling though I think for this round of media cleaning it’s probably worth it to use tank water though.
Rinse it out with dechlorinated water so your beneficial bacteria aren’t all euthanised.
I’m far from being an expert, but I heard to always wash your filter in tank water (in a separate bucket, easy while changing water) in order not to kill the majority of the biodiversity of your tank with chlorine. Then you can dispose of the waste water without messing your tank.
If your tanks still cycling then I’d rinse it in tank water, otherwise under the tap is fine.
People will down vote me because this “must clean in tank water” thing is one of those wives tales we have all been told since we began the hobby. But, the truth is no, you dont have to wash your filter media in tank water. The beneficial bacteria are not wiped out instantly when they contact the chlorine and chloromine in your tap water.
You may lose a negligible amount but the bacteria generally need to be exposed for several minutes in order for it to be even noticeably affected by it.
So, unless you are letting it soak for 5-10 minutes, it is perfectly safe to rinse your media under the tap, give it a few squeezes then pop it back in the tank. Your cycle will not suffer. Been doing it for YEARS. I learned this from a marine biologist and never looked back.
Rinsing in tap water works fine. If it does not give you chemical burns like pure bleach it’s not going to harm bacteria during the few minutes or less it takes to rinse a filter.
I just now understand the rational behind it since we do not have chlorine in our water