Washed My Filter....WITH SOAP >_<

**Shadow** · 6th Jan 2009, 10:15

I've been bleach-ing since I start this hobby, equipment and plants you name it. It is very effective to clean green spot algae on fern or nana. Just deep the leave only in un-diluted bleach for 1 second and rinse with running water while use you finger to wipe the green spot algae, repeat the process until it clean. Don't forget the anti clorine

**fotoudavid** · 6th Jan 2009, 10:23

I use tank water to clean it, as it will not wash those good bacteria away.

**Shadow** · 6th Jan 2009, 10:32

we are talking about just bought 2nd hand filter, so there shouldn't be good bacteria anyway. but for monthly maintenance, I agree, stay away from chemical.

**torque6** · 6th Jan 2009, 22:52

I personally use clorex bleach for the last 8 months now on filter equipment once i see green algae being clogged up in the pipes. I dont bleach the biohomes however and only rinse them in dechlorinated water on a biweekly basis to dislog mulm.

**StanChung** · 6th Jan 2009, 23:41

Originally Posted by Shadow

we are talking about just bought 2nd hand filter, so there shouldn't be good bacteria anyway. but for monthly maintenance, I agree, stay away from chemical.

Yup, mostly dead dried up stuff that you want to melt away with bleach or it will rot and leach some unwanted organic material.

**derekchia** · 7th Jan 2009, 01:24

My practice, fill up one bucket of aqaurium water.
Clean the filter with it and refill the tank with same amount of water.
Try not to involve chemical cleaning, not easy to neutralise.
Simple as that, it works for me.

**mozaqua** · 7th Jan 2009, 04:56

I agree with derek. Using chemicals is very unnecessary for most aquarium purposes. I have tried in the past using bleach on old gravel or even filter parts but find it causes nitrogen spikes later. You would think since the bleach makes it look clean all the organic content is gone, but it is Not! Just be careful with doing something like this, you can end up killing a lot of fish or shrimp by accident. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Really, most of the time chemicals are not needed for aquariums! Also most fish diseases are cured by solving the root problem (bad water) without medication.

**Shadow** · 7th Jan 2009, 08:45

your case probably because you kill BB in the process

**StanChung** · 7th Jan 2009, 14:41

I think you have to understand that it's a disinfecting process with chemicals especially if it is a used canister filter. If you have experienced 'the plague' before then you will know what I mean.

Most farms use these cheap but useful chemicals for this purpose when cleaning equipment so don't be too quick to judge. We hobbyists use a teeny fraction of what they do.