Changing And Cleaning The Filter

Cleaning and changing the filter is a pretty simple process. Once every week or two when you clean your tank take out the filter media, and rinse it in your fish only bucket filled with tank water. Do not rinse it in tap water or you take the chance of killing the bacteria on it. This is what you would do if you bought a power box filter that hangs on the back. If you have a box filter that sits inside the tank then take out the entire filter and rinse in the bucket filled with tank water. No matter what type of filter you have, rinse it accordingly.

Every two months or so you will need to tear down the filter and clean thoroughly. Otherwise, especially for power filters, your filter will not work properly and may stop altogether. At this time change the media, i.e. carbon and floss or bio bags. Remember to rinse the media well before placing back in the tank.