How To Clean Filter Sponge In Fish Tank

Sponges accept been used in aquarium filters extensively, either in sponge filters or in 3-stage filtration since the beginning of the modern filtration organisation.

Sponge functions in two ways, mechanically information technology traps droppings, dirt, and large particles and provides expanse for the bacteria to colonize.

Therefore, the aquarium filter sponge is a vital part of the filtration process in your tank. Unfortunately, sponges are more like a garbage can, and over time, the sponge gets chock-full when it'southward full of fish trash and detritus.

It's important to clean that thing out and reset it so that you can maintain healthy water conditions for your fish.

This blog post is all about how to make clean your filter sponge, which anybody needs to know how to practise if they take an aquarium. However, if y'all don't know how or are too lazy, this article will tell you what you demand to do – it'southward super easy!

How To Clean Aquarium Filter Sponge

An aquarium filter sponge has colonies of beneficial bacteria. These convert ammonia into less harmful substances for your fish and other aquatic life to keep them good for you and comfortable.

Cleaning the sponge is a straightforward task, but there are ways you tin become information technology wrong. Incorrect cleaning of the aquarium filter sponge may end up losing good bacteria.

Suppose the sponge is the only filter media of your aquarium filter. In that instance, information technology may lead to a biological crash, and y'all may notice new tank syndrome in your tank. So, a proper cleaning method needs to be followed to avoid such unwanted scenarios.

Stride-one: Resist The Temptation To Clean In Tap H2o

Do not use tap water to clean aquarium sponge

It's tempting to clean the sponge with running tap h2o. Only never always exercise that considering it contains chlorine and chloramine to kill germs and bacteria. Suppose you wash the sponge in tap water. In that example, it will be sterilized, and you will lose the bacteria making it capable of converting ammonia. Yet, y'all can use the tap h2o but make sure to dechlorinate start.

Step-2: Perform A Water Alter And Employ Old Tank Water

Use Old Tank Water to clean aquarium sponge

The best way is to use the old tank h2o and for that perform a water alter (10-15 %) outset. Save some of the water and put that into a bucket. Submerge the sponge in the water and gently clasp and release information technology and so that all that brown gunk goes into the old tank water.

Get some more former tank h2o and go along wringing it out until that water is non that brown anymore. You might need to echo the process two or three times. One caution note is never to let the sponge dry out out during the cleaning process.

Step-iii: Reuse Some Old Tank Water (Just If Necessary)

Reuse old water after cleaning aquarium sponge

After cleaning, the old tank h2o in the bucket contains some bacteria that sponges were carrying. Therefore, if you accept but one sponge in your filter unit, y'all should utilize some water from the saucepan over again into the aquarium. Following this way, a portion of good leaner volition exist reinjected to the tank.

Suppose you have multiple sponge filters in use or a three-stage filter with split up bio-media for leaner colonies. In that case, reuse of the old tank water again is not required. Because at that place are other sponges or media to keep the nitrogen cycle running. However, ensure that all the media are non cleaned at a time.

How Oft Should You Make clean The Filter Sponge?

Generally, you lot should make clean the filter sponge every 2-three weeks. Just actually depends on a few factors; types of filter y'all've been using, aquarium bioloads, water parameters, etc. Nevertheless, a specific routine maintenance schedule volition be much helpful.

If you lot are using a sponge filter, in that location are a few signs yous can wait for. First of all, if you listen to the bubbles sound and it's a lot quieter than usual. Or, visually, you're looking at the bubbles. It's just not as many are floating up; that's a sign that your sponge filter is chock-full. Too, if you observe fish waste and other particulate thing in the aquarium water, that'south some other sign.

The cleaning frequency of the sponges used in HOB (hang on back) filters or canister filters is less. Cleaning once a month is good enough to go along everything nice and clean.

Tin Yous Reuse The Sponge?

Absolutely, you can reuse the sponge, and I'd suggest it. Sponges carry some good bacteria on them. Nonetheless, over fourth dimension sponges start to fall apart. After squeezing, it's OK to reuse every bit long equally it comes back to its original shape. Just if it doesn't, it's time for a new sponge.

The replacement of the sponge is a flake tricky. Removing the old sponge and putting the new sponge without cycling may hamper the biological balance. Because when you lot remove the one-time sponge, you lot are taking away the bacteria it is housing. So, replacing the sponge should be done carefully. I have a detailed article on how to modify filter cartridges in the right way; you can read that.

Decision

We hope this article has been informative and that y'all've learned a little bit more about how to keep your filter sponge in good condition.

If you take any questions or comments regarding how to clean aquarium filter sponges, delight go out them below!