Nasty Filter

[sstanle4]

Is our filter supposed to look like this? Our LFS told us not to clean it...ever! And it looks disgusting. This cannot be healthy for our fish... at least I don't think so? Please help...

 

[Fishkeeper88]

the only part you need to clean is the inside of the intake tube. the rest looks pretty normal. its calcium and algea and helpful bacteria. as long as you change the green topped foam and carbon filter monthly you are fine in my opinion.

 

[sstanle4]

ah.. that makes me feel SO much better. thank you!

 

[Fishkeeper88]

this is what mine looks like.

here is a picure of the algea on two of my aquarium filters.

 

[sstanle4]

that's so weird. i guess i'm still getting used to the fact that bacteria and algae are good things.. haha that one is the only dirty one of our filters.. the other one is clean

 

[gabysapha]

the only part you need to clean is the inside of the intake tube. the rest looks pretty normal. its calcium and algea and helpful bacteria. as long as you change the green topped foam and carbon filter monthly you are fine in my opinion.

I agree that the filter usually looks gross, but I don't think you should change the foam and carbon monthly. Completely changing the foam is a waste of money and bacteria; just clean the foam in a bucket of tank water and replace. I do the same for the carbon. i guess i only change the foam when it can't do it's job anymore!

 

[sstanle4]

see ours gets clogged about once every week or every other week. we've had to change them completely because it will not filter the water at all. it just overflows back into the tank

 

[gabysapha]

Eww! May i ask why there's so much stuff in the water? Just curious

 

[sstanle4]

you tell me! haha because i have no clue...

 

[mr_X]

because the amount of food added to a closed system has to go somewhere. just because you pour food in the tank and it disappears, doesn't mean it's gone. it's just changed. changed into DOC's (dissolved organic compounds), fish poop..detritus...etc. these things will accumulate somewhere. there is also algae and bacteria that's already been mentioned.