Cleaning canister filters

[AV8TOR]

OK I have been using the EI index for 4 months now and everything is doing fantastic. No doubt this is a proven method.

I am just curious now to what is the Tom Barr recommended cleaning cycle of canister filters? I am using an Eheim 2215 on my 55 gallon.

 

[jippalbert]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

my 2 cents

I clean my can every 2-4 weeks . I reverse flush it and usualy replace 1 blue pad. Make sure you clean your hoses also. Keep all your equipment algae free.

 

[Laith]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

I clean my Eheims about every two months.

 

[AV8TOR]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

Bump,

2-weeks, 2-months, Mr. Barr what is your feelings on this please? The reasons I ask is that Eheims seem to be able to go for long periods before slowing down. On other planted tank forums I have heard of people going 4-6 months. But my question is what is the better for the plants?

 

[turbomkt]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

I'm having a hard time thinking that cleaning your cannister does anything other than improve circulation. If you're not using activated carbon, peat moss, etc. in your filter, and it's still moving water...who cares?

Granted, this assumes the worst thing that will accumulate is mulm type stuff and I have no idea if too much would be a bad thing.

 

[AV8TOR]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

Maybe it doesn’t matter and to be honest with you that is what I am looking for.

Over the last year I have heard one extreme from the other about it just like dosing. I could not find his post but I thought I had read one of Tom’s replies indicating a more frequent cleaning cycle. As I said in my original post what the EI method did for my tank I just thought I would like to hear what Tom feels about it that’s all.

 

[Roman]

Re: Cleaning canister filters

You observe your filter and when you see mulm build up in there and hoses getting brown (if they are transparent to start with), you clean it. It could be 2 weeks or 2 months. I run my CO2 through my canister filters and I see when bubbles start to slow down in intake hose. It's also good idea to keep notes about when you did cleaning last time.

 

[BIGFOOTRoger]

i HAVE A SUGGESTION

Pre-filter
Pre-filter
Pre-filter

The intake.............................Now ....THAT I clean weekly ! Unless it needs it sooner.

That's Just Me :> )

 

[jonny_ftm]

This necromancing threads

I clean my canister every 4-6 months. No algae issues, no diseases...

This is possible with big canisters and very low fish load

 

[BIGFOOTRoger]

This necromancing threads

I clean my canister every 4-6 months. No algae issues, no diseases...

This is possible with big canisters and very low fish load

What the heck does necromancing mean?

 

[Tug]

Granted, this assumes the worst thing that will accumulate is mulm type stuff and I have no idea if too much would be a bad thing.

The more dead things and mulm build up inside the filter the more oxygen is needed to help break down the material. This is of particular concern to those who are adding CO2 and want to maintain good O2 levels. There may also be some algae related issues such as with BGA when filters are dirty. Cleanliness is next to godliness and honestly, how long does it take to clean the filter. Not that much longer then taking the time to ask the question. +1 every 1 to 2 weeks. Just make sure the water used to clean it is free from chlorine.

Necromancy (Greek νεκρομαντία, nekromantía) is a form of divination in which the practitioner seeks to summon "operative spirits" or "spirits of divination", for multiple reasons, from spiritual protection to wisdom. The word necromancy derives from the Greek νεκρός (nekrós), "dead", and μαντεία (manteía), "divination". - http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Necromancer

 

[BIGFOOTRoger]

So ....
Are you saying my reply to an Old thread is wrong !?

I am slow and my Chihuahua is blind . So you have to type slower or I will not understand.
Thank U

Roger

 

[jonny_ftm]

I was just joking on how you ressucitated such an old topic, no bad feelings meant at all by my "joke"

 

[BIGFOOTRoger]

HA! HA! HA!

I am the biggest jokester...

I have been banned on other sites because of my humor !

To some Humor is Serious business.

No Bad Feelings : > )

Roger

 

[SuperColey1]

mine gets cleaned at least once a month whether the pipes are dirty or not. There is no reduction in flowrate (from observation not testing.)

I never clean it to help stop algae in the tank or in the pipes. I would asume if you are not getting algae in your tank then you shouldn't get algae anywhere else after all the water flowing through the pipes is the same water that is in the tank and therefore if the plants in the tank are preventing algae there then they should also be preventing algae anywhere else within the system.

AC