My Filter Runneth Over

[Drumachine09]

Well, i noticed last night that my big regent filter isnt working properly. Instead of having the filtered water pouring out of the two side spouts, it is all coming out where the uplift tube is, and i dont think the water is getting filtered. How do i fix this?

[Fishguy2727]

Are the cartridges clogged? That sounds like the Whispers when I get lazy, or cheap.

[Drumachine09]

I think i might need to clean out/change the media &/or clean the filter itself. How do i do so without killing all of the bacteria?

[Lady Hobbs]

I haul my filters to the kitchen sink about every other month and clean the heck out of them. It gets pretty darned stinky and slimmy in there and who wants that stuff going back into your tank. You won't lose your bio-load as long as you have a good established tank. Your gravel is full of it but I wouldn't clean the gravel and do a major filtering cleaning both the same week.

And take a brush to the inside of those uplift tubes. uck

Ya know, when you buy these things and read the directions, it does say to give them a good cleaning now and then along with the propellor. It won't hurt it a bit.

[Drumachine09]

Do i leave the filter cartrages floating in the tank, or do i scrub the hell out o' them too?

[Lady Hobbs]

Clean them off in dechlorinated water (or tank water you draw out.)

[Drumachine09]

Aye! Thanks for the help. I have 4 hang on backs on my tank. Do i only clean 1 at a time?

[Rue]

...nah...even if you do 2 at a time...and alternate the weeks you clean them...you'll be more than safe enough...

[Lady Hobbs]

Do you use the carbons, Dru? Why not toss them things and get some good floss for those filters.

[Drumachine09]

I dont think they have carbon. They came with the tank. ill check

[Drumachine09]

Out of 6 filter cartridges, all 6 of them had a combo of carbon and some white stuff. i think its ammo-carb.