How to Clean a Power Filter

The fish are in the tank and the power filter is doing the cleaning. Remember in a month the filter requires cleaning too. A power filter in the aquarium doesn't mean it's maintenance free. The power filter ensures the water is algae free. Cleaning the power filter is a relatively simple process that should take about twenty minutes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Filtration media or new filter insert
• small pitcher
• bucket

1. Scoop about two quarts of water from the tank and set aside. This water is used to acclimate the clean filter. Turn off and unplug the filter from the wall socket.
2. Take the filter out of the aquarium and place it in your bucket. Remove the sponge insert. Continue to Step 5 if the sponge is disposable, when it's reusable throw away the filtration media and go to the Step 3.
3. Rinse the sponge in a small bowl of tank water. Fill with new filtration media.
4. Clean the outside of the filter and rinse it with fresh water. Remove all algae and any other deposits.
5. Dip the filter sponge in the reserved tank water then insert it into the filter. Put the filter back into the aquarium.
6. Fill the filter half way with the tank water removed in Step 1. Plug in the filter and turn it on. When the filter is running properly, add water to fill tank to adequate level for the fish.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use any soap to clean the filter or filter insert as this can kill your fish when you replace the filter.