Clean your filter at least once a month to keep your fish healthy.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 20 minutes
Here's How:
- Have fresh filtration media, a small pitcher, and a bucket on hand before starting.
- Place about two quarts of tank water in a small picture and set aside.
- Turn the filter off and unplug the cord from the electrical outlet.
- Gently lift the filter off the aquarium and place in a clean bucket.
- Remove the sponge insert. If it is disposable, discard it and skip to step nine.
- If the sponge insert is refillable, discard the filtration media inside it.
- Place part of the tank water in a small bowl and gently rinse the sponge in it.
- Refill the washed sponge insert with fresh media, close and set aside.
- Remove any algae or lime deposits from the filter housing, and rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
- Rinse the new or refilled sponge insert using the pitcher of tank water.
- Place the rinsed sponge insert in the filter housing.
- Hang the filter back on the aquarium.
- Using a small cup partially fill the filter with tank water, then replace the cover.
- Plug the filter in and turn it on. Voila! Clean filter.
Tips:
- If you use refillable inserts, be sure to seal the container of filtration media very tightly after each use.
- It's a myth that you should never replace the filter insert. Dirty filters that can no longer be cleaned thoroughly are unhealthy.