Aquarium Filter Cleaning, Vacuuming and Water Changes? *Is Doing it ALL AT ONCE doing Too Much?*
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- Опубликовано: 11 май 2020
- Cleaning your filters, doing a water change and vacuuming your substrate are all good things ... but is it really a bad thing to do them all at once? This is a question I get asked and in this video I'm going to share how I do it.
As a bonus, at the end of this video I'm going to share with you how I dial in my maintenance schedule to get the best results, without overdoing it, spending too much time at it and in a way that doesn't harm the fish one bit!
If you have some things to add, some tips that work for you, please add them to the comments below. Remember, we all learn from each other on this channel and I encourage you, the "convo gang," to share your thoughts.
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Prefilters are great to have!
Oh
My god
Lethrinops. Tank back there ....😍😍😍😍😄😄😄
Uncle you are amazing ... Keep it up👍👍👍
I will, thank you!
Thanks for some very clear teaching ... I've just brought a couple of larger tanks and l feel a bit out of my comfort zone but the information you give really helps... thanks
I'm happy to hear that Emma. Good luck with those larger tanks. Once you get them up and running they can be easier and more forgiving than smaller systems.
Thanks Ben great tips.
You bet!
Having a second bucket! You are so informative! I would have never thought of that, thanks so much. I do try to rotate gravel vacs, filter cleanings and canister cleanings. My tank stays in cycle just fine, but I have left my media sit in the shower while I continue to clean sponges and such. No more! As far as keeping a log, I have used "aquaPlanner," which can be found in the app store. I really like it and it sends me reminders when things are due, gives you charts and you can log your fish as to cost, when purchased and from where. It does that for equipment also, it's a great app! Thanks Ben!
I'm glad you got a usable tip out of this. Showers and sinks concern me sometimes because they can have soap and cleaning agents on them. A second bucket of tank water will be much less risky.
Awesome Ben I learn so much from you
I appreciate that!
Thank you Ben for the tip on the canister filter. Using the 2 buckets is a great idea. I also use my phone to keep track of my water changes since I have 5 tanks. Love the video OG 😀👍
Yes absolutely it is too much!!
Recently I made a rather rookie mistake of changing too much water and gravel vacuuming too deep into my substrate, both causing a fluctuation in beneficial bacteria levels causing a bacterial bloom for quite some time until it balanced itself out again over the course of several weeks to a month. I brought down my gravel vacuuming to once or twice per month and my water changes to 10-20% every two weeks for my 40 gallon breeder.
Was there an ammonia spike?
Very good👍
Very clear! 👍
Glad you think so!
great as always💪
Thank you so much for that 😀
The second (holding) bucket tip is my head-slap takeaway. Don't stop including details you might assume should be obvious. My beneficial bacteria and I thank you, Ben.
I'm glad you got a usable tip out of this video Steve.
@@BenOchart, I've been keeping mbuna for only six months. In that time, you have taught me quite a bit, including to immerse myself in the wisdom of several quality teachers. Keep up the excellent work.
Great video Ben and YES it's too much lol. Very important to have a routine and a schedule. I do link maintenance to weekly water changes and glass cleaning. 1st and 3rd week the canisters but i service them 2 days after the water change, 2nd and 4th week tank maintenance, deeper vacuming, cleaning equipment etc. during water change. I also used Notes to keep a log like you Ben but now i discovered the Aquarium Manager app and it's awesome!
Sounds like a great routine.
I had a duh moment in this video like y didn’t I think of that, even the smallest detail is a big help keep it coming
I love when that happens to me and a light goes on 😀👍🏻
Very good video, very important information. Your experience shows my friend!!👍🏼👍🏼❤
Thank you Lito!
great video, always filled with a lot of information. where was the information 35 years ago, the new hobbyist should watch your videos and learn.
I hear you. My first tank keeping experience, many years ago, was filled with a lot of disappointment. We have such a wealth of info available to us now. Thanks for watching.
Good video. 📺👍
Thanks for the visit
Ben i dump the water from the canister in a container and use that works fine for me
I've been keeping notes of my tanks, filters, fish purchases or birth dates, what fish got put in what tank on what date etc...Maybe a little overboard but it works & I got nothing but time these days especially lol. Keep up the great advice. Happy 🐬🐠 Keeping (Until 1 thinks he's ready to be the new boss in the tank at least)...lol✌
Better to have more info than not enough. Thank you for watching and commenting😀
HI BEN; AL GREAT TIPS
Hello Daniel. Hope you're well in L.V. Must be odd to see the strip all dark. I hear NV will be opening up again. I hope so. Thank you for watching and for the on going support.
@@BenOchart IT IS WEIRD SEEING THE STRIP ALL DARK....THEY MIGHT BE OPENING IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS....I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU BUDDY...YOUR A GREAT GUY....
Hi Ben! As I have mobility issues and filling buckets with tank water for cleaning is too much of a hassle for me, I'm doing more and more cleaning with just adding some prime in tap water to remove the chlorine for cleaning filters. I did hear that chlorine in tap water is very minimal to cause significant damage to bacteria and cleaning in general is removing a fair amount of bacteria already. Just spreading out cleanings of aquarium equipment is best to avoid any drastic changes in the aquarium is my suggestion for everyone and I know you had suggested that before.
I get it. I usually work with a hose system like a python because my lower back would be KILLING me the next day. So I really do get it. If it's working, and helping you to stay in the hobby, I say AWESOME!
Yes! It’s a lot of trial and error to make things work and keep going on learning while working in the hobby for sure 👍
Hello Ben, I do wc 50% twice a week and canisters every 3 months. I try to vacuum at least 1 a week. I have 14 large adult discus in a 120g. I never do all at the same time!..I agree with you could disrupt the balance in the tank........ great video like always, THKS
Love discus and they really need to be kept in pristine conditions, while at the same time maintaining that BB. Really requires sharp fish keeping skills. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Great advice Ben as always. I keep 2 canisters on each tank. I alternate cleaning them and never clean both filters at the same time. I vacuum about once a month and do 40% water changes once a week. On a side note I have only kept tropical fish for decades. Watching your channel among others has inspired me. I just bought a 125 gallon tank and will set up a African Cichlid tank. Still in the planning stages. Thinking of going all peacocks and maybe a few haps. they seem to be the most “tame” if there is such a thing in the African Cichlid world! I love the look of Mbuna also but they have that mean as hell reputation. I’m nervous and excited at the same time. Cichlids seem to be more challenging than Tropicals I have been keeping. I can’t wait to get it running! Keep the videos coming
You’re in for a fun adventure 😀. Consider smaller Haps like the z Rock, a tetrastigma and some protomelas like Taiwan Reef and Tangerine tigers. By them small and let them grow up together. Good luck😀
That is my plan Ben. Plus there cheaper when they are small! Makes sense if they grow up together they should get along. Or at least I can monitor them and diffuse any hot spots. Bonus for me is I live in Florida and my water out of the tap is Cichlid ready around 8 ph. Plus there are a lot of fish farms in the state. Thanks for the advice. I enjoy your channel
I do the same procedure, but with only 1 bucket where I rinse media.
So I do a less % of water change. I have an understock aquarium.
I also have track of routine in my notes of my phone.
It work's for me.
Sounds like a good system that is working for you.
I concur. Lightly clean the bio and power wash the mechanical. Well... sort of concur... lol.
We're in the same ballpark, LOL, thanks for watching my friend.
Thank you for visiting my channel! For more fish keeping tips, check out these playlists:
"Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4
Fluval FX canister filters "Tips & Tricks" go here:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD
SunSun canister "Tips & Tricks" go here:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg
All about water changes and controlling nitrates, click here:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD
Tips on general canister filter maintenance, click here:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoA-6pu7lFTc_D6idLKGCE2j
Here are my "Top 10" most popular videos of all time:
ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoBdSWOkNg1Roe2M47dP9Mva
I had shrimp die after a large water change, not good..
Lots of factors might have contributed. Temp match, water conditioner, recent additives by water provider, etc.
Great content as always Ben.
Maybe a good question to address in future videos "Am I throwing my hard earned cash away on bottles of beneficial bacteria?"
The directions on the bottles state that you need to add 'X' amount of your desired beneficial bacteria every time you do maintenance/water changes but if I have filters, substrate and ornaments etc that are already seeded and home to BB why add more?
Doesn't the bacteria already multiply without my intervention of adding more?
Good point. What product recommends using with every water change? I’ll look into it.
Hi Ben 👋
Seachem Stability, Seachem Pristine and API Stress Zyme are products I have experience with that say something along these lines "Use 1 capful for each 80 L once a month or with each water change".
Fluval Cycle states "Weekly dosage for regular maintenance activities and to maintain a strong beneficial biological colony: 5 ML PER 37.8 L (10 US GAL)"
Fluval Biological "For new set-ups & maintenance: 5 ML PER 37.8 L".
Dr Tims Waste-away "Dose 10ml (1 capful) per 38 litres. Use once a week as a natural way to keep your aquarium clean".
I'm yet to find a product whose instructions do not keep you on the dosing merry go round.
That being said I'm also not saying that people should completely disregard dosage rates but maybe there is a happy medium.
The can on my 125g mbuna tank can easily go 5 or 6 months between service. Only doing it when absolutely necessary is key especially since most failures and problems or leaks occur from dis and reassembly.
I think you're right Kyle. That opening and closing puts way more stress on things like O rings than just letting it run. Too much fussing around is an enemy to canister filters.
Good Video Ben, 👍 I have a 120 gallon tank. I do a 20% water change every Saturday morning while listening to your live stream. I vacuum half the gravel with each water change. Rotating one end to the other each week. Is that too much vacuuming?
Well, how do the fish look and act when you're done? How do the water tests look? If it's working and the fish good and don't seem stressed when you're finished, then you're good to go and shouldn't change a thing. And ... THANK YOU for tuning in on Saturdays, it's very appreciated.
Great maintenance tips to follow Ben. I have a question, when you drain the tank water to clean your filter you mentioned treating this a a small water change. How are you treating the dose of Safe, still for the complete tank volume like a 50-60% or less?
Yes, because I use a python (tap-to-tank) hose system, I dose for the full tank volume.
Hi, I don't dose for full tank but for the amount of water in bucket. You don't have to be to accurate. . If you're filling the python way, then you dose according to tank volume.
I second the log as an aid; humans forget. If one is a type A personality, do a spreadsheet and/or graph it. One can see a curve/line and guesstimate the time for the next change. One can also see the affect of adding life to the ecosystem.
Additionally, humans forget. Numerous times I have seen a test result and wondered “Uh, oh, what was it last time?” It is in the log book. Data can differentiate a “spike” from a “gradual increase.”
In addition, we all have phones with cameras and data. Log or photograph it. Store it or print and paste in a log.
In the end, data helps,
Jim
PS: Nice pun, “Fluid?” Keep the water jokes coming those in sequestration love them.
Great points (and finally someone who gets my humor 😉😀👍🏻)
When I ran a single canister I would often swap out floss or rinse media when doing a water change
Did you ever experience noticeable fish stress or death after a WC?
Ben Ochart nope, I live in the South of England where we have incredibly hard water and ph. I’ve primarily kept Mbuna and so the nutrient rich water, (my perimeters of which are near identical to Lake Malawi) keep the fish incredibly healthy and primed.
Ben. What kind of pre filter do you use on the FX6 Fluval?
I picked up an extra large pre-filter from the Aquarium Co-op. It's a big coarse sponge that fits on the intake tube. I did need to wrap some cut hose to make the intake tube thicker so the spone would stay on and fit more snugly.
Ben. Thank you. Will need to pick up a few of these pre filters!
I am using sponge filter and fluval 407 canister for my 125g with around 18 to 20fish..based on this I clean canister once in a month is that fine....I too take a note in my notepad the date when I clean filters and tank..
@Syk of this pc bs but it works fine..water is crystal clear..flow rate is good..
I just bought the 407 2 weeks ago for my 65 gallon and I love it! I've never had a cannister filter before. What an upgrade from the biowheel!! I opened it today for the first time and it was still clean.... sure beats the weekly biowheel cleaning!
Go snorkeling in a fish filled environment and what do you see? Algae, muck, and decaying organics. Some algae in an aquarium is beneficial. Cultivate it.
I agree. I use an algae scrubber from Santa Monica Filtration in two of my systems. Once a week I open it up and let the fish go at the algae. It's clean by the next morning. A very nutritious snack that naturally reduces nitrates and adds O2 to the water. A win-win. Thanks for watching.
So had a question so I have a aquaclear 110 with a pre filter on also have a powerhead with a pre-filter on it too and have a fx6 so if i clean the inside of my Aquaclear don't clean the pre filter on it ? And how often do you check the fx6 ?
I would rinse that pre-filter in tank water every week and, with that much filtration, don’t worry, clean the entire HOB unit. Regarding the FX-6, use my final tip in the video to determine how much time between servicing. Also check out the Fluval playlist here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD
@@BenOchart awesome thank you
I never really got, why people change water on a regular basis.
Ive been keeping fish for almost 15 years and ive rarely ever changed water.
Or vacuumed the dirt out. Or cleaned my filter more than once every few months, even if its a small filter handling a huge bioload.
If you constantly remove all the bacteria and algae removing nitrates, you make more work for yourself.
I just make sure the dirt collects behind my decoration, where the corycats can go through it as much as they want without me having to see it.
Also this mulm is mostly the same bacteria as in the filter, so why should i remove it.
Maybe this is different for a really big bioload but im currently waaay beyond the one inch per gallon rule and my water parameters stay pretty much constant, in fact its more disruptive if i change water.
At least my emperor tetras were breeding basically constantly for months without me changing water. Even when i added a dewormer for one of my bolivian rams they just kept breeding
Only when i had to change 90% the water after, they immediately stopped for a few weeks and are only slowly getting back into it after weeks, as the water ages again.
At the end of the day, i think the most important thing is doing whatever you do regularly, but the less you do from the beginning, the more the tank will get used to that. Also nutrients for your plants will accumulate in the soil if you dont pull it out constantly, which helps certain plants.
So all in all, the more you let nature do its thing, the more work will be taken off you.
Baum I’ve had fish die because I kept the water too clean. Killed 20 peacock fry 2 weeks ago by changing water once a week. Now I’m sticking to water changes every two weeks . You can get a feel when the water is dirty. Just by paying attention to your last water change . I literally got bored at home so started to change water and it was a horrible mistake
@@D04137 Well you can buy test kits on eBay, not expensive.
Partly what makes this hobby so interesting to me is the wide variety of techniques people use to care for their fish. My takeaway: If it works for you, carry on!
MY BROTHER HAS A 350 GALLON TANK FULL OF AFRICAN CHICLIDS. HE HAS SUMP, WET DRY FILTER. HE NEVER CHANGES WATER. ONLY TOPS IT OFF WHEN NEEDED.. HE HAD A WIPEOUT A FEW YEARS AGO FROM DOING TOO MANY WATER CHANGES. HE SWEARS BY THIS METHOD NOW!🐠🐟🐠
Hi, Here are my reasons for doing weekly water changes. Firstly doing water changes depends on whether you have a high bio load, and how much you are feeding. Also if you dont have a balanced tank. Aquariums are closed system. So what ever you put in cant be taken out unless you do water changes.I have ph of 7.5 out of tap. And my water is considered very soft. sometimes I do a 50% water change but on average I do a 25% weekly.1st reason: Is to replenish the nutrients in the water that the fish an plants use up. 2nd reason: Is to take out the excess nitrates, ammonia and other tds that maybe in the tank. 3rd reason: when pruning plants, cleaning glass of spot algae or if I see the aqua iron s sand substrate isn't clean. So it really depends on a week by week bases, how much water I change. Ie, testing with API test kit or my observation of how the tank is looking. Each tank is different.
Can you please help me out with this question I am new at this fish keeping I’m confused about the filter. What does it mean after two weeks I have some brown stuff is that harmful to my Betta? I did dip it in fish tank water and the water is clear I just wanna make sure that the brown stuff is something bad I don’t need to change it for another two weeks
Probably an algae bloom. Normal with new tanks, harmless and will eventually go away.
What kind of h.o.b filter do you have on your tanks? Your reply is much appreciated as they always are. Take care.🐟😀
Hello Marty, I’m currently running an Emperor 400 (Marineland) dual bio-wheel on the 60 gal. There certainly are higher rated units out there but I got this one used, plugged it in, it fired right up and I’ve never felt a need to replace it. Runs quiet and strong.
Sir I purchase new canister but I add fishes early my tank not cycled it's 8th day now first my ammonia rise now nitrites too .. I ordered seachem stability but due to corona it's delay fishes looks ok what can I do any suggestion plz reply...
Keep testing water and doing a daily 25% water change and dosing of conditioner, like Prime. Eventually, like in a month, your beneficial bacteria will catch up. Usually I don't recommend water changes during the cycling of a new tank, but with fish in there you need to reduce the stress. Good luck.
How bugs the tank,how big are the fish and how many fish?
I notice in ur videos your water level is visible. I like to keep water level high. Is there a reason you keep your water level lower? Will there be water damage at top of tank as a result of high water level?
Hi Sam. The water is visible for a couple of reasons: 1) I filmed just before a water change and top off and there was some evaporation or 2) I'm keeping the water level slightly down because I want the hang-on-back to really break up the water surface to crreate gas exchange (add oxygen to the tank)
Question, why in every RUclips videos I hit thumbs up and it doesn't raise in number, but adds to liked video, this is on all sites, it just started happening. Any idea?
Very odd. I have no idea.
Did you try signing out and back in again?
Yea never do a water change & clean out filter at the same time
Some have gotten away with it. If a lot of their BB is in the substrate, it might be possible.
You and I are on very different ends of the spectrum when it comes to fish keeping (where youll add a filter I'll take away a filter ect) and yet I still find myself subscribed and tuning in for every video. So I'd say that's the mark of a good and inciteful youtuber
Thanks! That comment was awesome😀👍🏻