Cleaning your external aquarium filter regularly is crucial for maintaining healthy water quality and ensuring the filter operates efficiently. The process involves disconnecting the filter, cleaning its components (hoses, canister, media, and impeller), and then reassembling it.
Regular maintenance prevents blockages, extends the filter's lifespan, and keeps your aquarium water crystal clear.
Steps to Clean Your External Filter
Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your external aquarium filter:
- Disconnect Power and Hoses: First, turn off and unplug the filter. Close any shut-off valves on the hoses if your model has them. Disconnect the intake and output hoses from the filter canister.
- Move to a Suitable Area: Carefully carry the filter canister to a sink, bucket, or outside area where you can drain the water and clean components without making a mess.
- Open and Drain the Canister: Open the filter lid (usually involves clips or latches) and drain the water inside.
- Clean Filter Media:
- Mechanical Media (Sponges, filter floss): Rinse these thoroughly in used aquarium water or dechlorinated tap water. Rinsing in old tank water helps preserve beneficial bacteria. Squeeze out debris until the water runs clearer. Replace heavily soiled or deteriorating mechanical media.
- Biological Media (Ceramic rings, bio-balls): Rinse these very gently in used aquarium water to remove sludge without killing beneficial bacteria. Avoid harsh cleaning or tap water directly, as chlorine can harm the bacteria.
- Chemical Media (Carbon, resin): Chemical media like activated carbon typically cannot be effectively cleaned and must be replaced according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually every 2-4 weeks.
- Clean the Filter Canister and Lid: Rinse out the inside of the main filter body and the lid to remove accumulated sludge and debris. You can use a brush for stubborn areas.
- Clean the Impeller and Impeller Housing: This is a critical step for maintaining filter flow.
- Carefully remove the impeller by gently pulling it out of its housing.
- The body of the impeller is best cleaned with a toothbrush to remove algae or mineral deposits.
- The housing can be flushed out with a jet of water or a cotton bud to ensure no debris is blocking the impeller's movement.
- Once you're satisfied the impeller is suitably clean, return it to its housing and reassemble the filter.
- Clean Hoses and Intake/Output Tubes: Use a filter brush designed for hoses to clean the inside of the intake and output hoses and tubes. This removes built-up slime that can restrict flow. Rinse them thoroughly.
- Reassemble the Filter: Place the clean or new filter media back into the filter baskets in the correct order (typically mechanical, then biological, then chemical). Close the filter lid securely.
- Reconnect and Prime: Reconnect the hoses to the filter canister and back to the aquarium. Open any shut-off valves. Prime the filter by following your specific filter's instructions (this usually involves filling it with water manually or using a prime button/lever) before plugging it back in.
- Restart the Filter: Plug the filter back in and check that water is flowing properly and there are no leaks.
Important Tips for Filter Cleaning
- Use Aquarium Water: Whenever possible, rinse filter media (especially biological) in water removed from the aquarium during a water change. This preserves beneficial bacteria crucial for the nitrogen cycle.
- Avoid Soaps or Chemicals: Never use soap, detergents, or household cleaners on any filter components, as residues are toxic to fish.
- Don't Over-Clean: Avoid cleaning biological media too vigorously or too often, as this can crash your nitrogen cycle. Only rinse lightly to remove heavy sludge.
- Check O-rings/Seals: Inspect the rubber seals (O-rings) on the filter lid and hose connections for cracks or debris. Clean them and apply a thin layer of silicone grease if needed to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance: Clean your filter mechanical media every 2-4 weeks, or when you notice reduced flow. Biological media only needs light rinsing every few months during a more extensive clean.
By following these steps, including the proper cleaning of the impeller as described, you can keep your external aquarium filter running effectively, providing a healthy environment for your fish.
