4 Things You Need to Do When Cleaning Your Aquarium’s Filter

A filter is one of the most important saltwater and freshwater aquarium supplies. Without the proper filter, an aquarium can become full of debris and unwanted detritus. Unfiltered water doesn’t just create an eyesore. It’s also incredibly harmful to the creatures inside the aquarium, as they need fresh and clean water to live in. To maintain this system, aquarium filters must be cleaned properly. Here are four tips to do so properly.

1. Stick to a Routine

The best way to keep a tank clean is by sticking to a cleaning schedule. Whether operating on a monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly basis, maintaining a routine ensures that no part of caring for your aquarium gets neglected. Mechanical filters need to be cleaned the most often at about once or twice per month, depending on the type of aquarium (saltwater or freshwater) and animal load. Chemical filters can go a little bit longer than mechanical filters without a thorough clean. Biological filters should be cleaned when the filtration process seems to be lagging.

2. Don’t Clean Too Hard

Aquarium filters are responsible for cleaning the water of any impurities. These devices are designed to filter and trap the harmful components in a tank. However, many people don’t realize there are some bacteria that are beneficial to the aquarium’s natural filtration system. Overcleaning the biological filter area of your filter could eradicate the much-needed beneficial bacteria and end up harming the tank’s ecosystem. It’s important to find a balance between scrubbing too hard and rinsing off in discarded aquarium water.

3. Don’t Use Harmful Cleaning Materials

Although aquarium filters remove harmful materials from the tank, there’s no reason to use powerful solutions when cleaning these filters. Other than the beneficial bacteria, these filters only contain decomposing organic compounds. The only tools needed to clean an aquarium filter are a dedicated brush and your discarded aquarium water or dechlorinated tap water. The brush aids in this process. It’s important to avoid using soap, bleach, or any other harmful cleaning solutions, as they could destroy the filters and poison the water in the aquarium.

4. Replace the Filter When Necessary

No aquarium filter is designed to last forever. Even with the most consistent and attentive cleaning, there will come a time when every filter must be replaced. Filters kept in use past their expiration date won’t be able to properly filter the water, which could lead to potential difficulties for the fish. While most filters can last a few months, it’s important to consult the user manual for each specific filter to ensure the appropriate amount of time passes between each use.

Filters are also essential if you have an outdoor koi pond. Whether you’re looking for aquarium (https://www.aquaticwarehouse.com/filtration) or pond filters, you can find the high-quality supplies you’re looking for at Aquatic Warehouse. Check out our website, stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.