Dirt from my canister

[Sims]

Hi everyone,

Would like to ask if my eheim 2213 is too small for my 60x30x45 cm tank?

Everytime I change water for my tank I would switch off my filter cause if I don't air will get in and blah blah blah.

The problem is after I change the water and switch on my filter again there is this burst of current to my rainbar and then it seems that dirt inside of my canister will be blown out of my rainbar and cause hell of a mess.

I have last clean my canister last month and my planted tank is still new so not washing anytime soon.

Anyway what is the suitable period for washing the canister.

Thanks hope someone could help me thanks again

[turaco]

I think it's common to have "dirt" gushing out when current is turned on. I don't use rainbar, whenever I did a cleaning to my filter, I'll place a net at the outlet pipe to catch the dirt before turnig on the power. After a while, it will be back to normal.[:]

[M0rph3us]

yup i also experience it..

[timebomb]

When I clean my external cannister filters (which I do rarely, about once a year), I don't take out the filter media. I only give the parts a good scrub, impellers, filter hoses and all and then put the filter back together. Before I run the water back into the tank however, I will let the water flow out onto my balcony floor. When the water is gushing out, I keep shaking the filter. The water that comes out then is a murky brown. I keep shaking until the water becomes clear before running the hose back into the tank.

This way, the good bacteria living in the filter media will not be destroyed. I have heard many stories of fish dying over the next few days after the hobbyist *cleans* his filter. Be careful, you don't want your filter to be too clean.

Loh K L

[Sims]

Thanks everyone,

Glad to know that it is normal.

Ya heard stories about fish dieing off after canister wash. Shall be careful.

Thanks again.

[vinz]

Another way of cleaning your filter "safely":

Save a pail of the tank water that you're removing.
Like TB, scrub the impellers, etc.
Take out the floss/sponges and lay a side.
Rinse the rings and sintered glass in the pail of tank water. Then rinse the sponges/floss in the tank water.Blast tap water thru the hoses to clear any choking, loose brown stuff, etc.
Put everything back together.

If you find it hard to remove the hoses, rain bar, etc from the tank, invest in and install a pair of Eheim taps.

[Sims]

Thanks vinz,

Your info will come in handy.

Thanks for sharing