Cleaning hang on filter?

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 11:53 AM

I have a fluvial C3 hang on filter on my reef tank. When I turn it off, particles go into the water. It also has stopped picking every particle up and some are just floating around. How do I clean my filter. or should I even clean it?

Sugar Magnolia · 02/05/2014, 12:20 PM

Yes. Hang on filters should be cleaned frequently. Take it off the tank and rinse it out with warm water. Use an old toothbrush to get into the intake tubes.

I clean mine every other week.

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 12:53 PM

What about all of the beneficial bacteria inside of the filter? I read where it said rinse the white sponge thing off. My LFS said that if I clean my filter then it will kill everything.

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/05/2014, 03:00 PM

Rinse it in tank water and the bacteria will survive.
Does it have a surface skimmer?
If not you should retrofit one.

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 03:31 PM

It doesn't have a skimmer at all. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23671

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/05/2014, 03:37 PM

It has an intake.
You can fit it with one of these and improve its performance.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pcatid=12703an

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 03:40 PM

So how does it fit?

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/05/2014, 03:44 PM

You put the flexible tubing in your intake and mount the skimmer as shown in the picture.
You will need to top off daily for it to function properly.

Sugar Magnolia · 02/05/2014, 03:50 PM

The amount of bacteria in a hang on mechanical filter is negligable. If not cleaned frequently, it will trap detritus and elevate nitrates. Over time the impeller will become clogged and it will run less efficiently. Running mechanical filtration in salt water is much different than running in fresh water.

As I mentioned, I clean mine frequently and have been doing so for 11 years.

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 03:51 PM

That seems like a lot of work! My main issue with the filter is that these particles are floating around throughout the tank and not getting picked up. I guess its because the filter is 6 months dirty lol

Sugar Magnolia · 02/05/2014, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x1C0DE1x

That seems like a lot of work! My main issue with the filter is that these particles are floating around throughout the tank and not getting picked up. I guess its because the filter is 6 months dirty lol

Oh my! I can't even imagine how nasty it is in there. Next water change take it off and clean it. Be sure to remove the impeller and clean inside it's housing.

Shane C. · 02/05/2014, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Salty 05

It has an intake.
You can fit it with one of these and improve its performance.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pcatid=12703an

I just installed one of those and am running it with a fluval 405. Works great.

x1C0DE1x · 02/05/2014, 06:47 PM

So when you take the tube out you clean inside your tube and you clean down into the propeller?

02/05/2014, 11:53 AM	#1
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	Cleaning hang on filter? I have a fluvial C3 hang on filter on my reef tank. When I turn it off, particles go into the water. It also has stopped picking every particle up and some are just floating around. How do I clean my filter. or should I even clean it?

02/05/2014, 12:20 PM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Yes. Hang on filters should be cleaned frequently. Take it off the tank and rinse it out with warm water. Use an old toothbrush to get into the intake tubes. I clean mine every other week. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

02/05/2014, 03:00 PM	#4
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Rinse it in tank water and the bacteria will survive. Does it have a surface skimmer? If not you should retrofit one. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/05/2014, 03:37 PM	#6
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	It has an intake. You can fit it with one of these and improve its performance. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...pcatid=12703an __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/05/2014, 03:44 PM	#8
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	You put the flexible tubing in your intake and mount the skimmer as shown in the picture. You will need to top off daily for it to function properly. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/05/2014, 12:53 PM	#3
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	What about all of the beneficial bacteria inside of the filter? I read where it said rinse the white sponge thing off. My LFS said that if I clean my filter then it will kill everything.

02/05/2014, 03:31 PM	#5
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	It doesn't have a skimmer at all. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=23671

02/05/2014, 03:40 PM	#7
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	So how does it fit?

02/05/2014, 03:50 PM	#9
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	The amount of bacteria in a hang on mechanical filter is negligable. If not cleaned frequently, it will trap detritus and elevate nitrates. Over time the impeller will become clogged and it will run less efficiently. Running mechanical filtration in salt water is much different than running in fresh water. As I mentioned, I clean mine frequently and have been doing so for 11 years. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

02/05/2014, 03:51 PM	#10
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	That seems like a lot of work! My main issue with the filter is that these particles are floating around throughout the tank and not getting picked up. I guess its because the filter is 6 months dirty lol

02/05/2014, 06:47 PM	#13
x1C0DE1x Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 209	So when you take the tube out you clean inside your tube and you clean down into the propeller?