How to Clean a Fish Tank Filter

Fish need filtered water to stay healthy.

Fish tanks require filters in order to keep the water clean and the fish healthy. Various kinds of filters exist, including gravel filters, external filters and biological filters. Each type of filtration system has its own pros and cons. However, each type of filter has the same purpose and the same cleaning needs. Cleaning a filter improperly can kill the natural bacteria that help maintain your aquarium's ecosystem, so cleaning your filter properly is important.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Room temperature water

1. Unplug the filter from the electrical outlet. Remove the filter from the fish tank, placing it in a bucket to catch spilling water.

2. Remove the filter cabinet, the container that holds the filter material. Open the cabinet to expose the filter material.

3. Clean the filter material by rinsing it gently with room temperature water until the water expelled from the filter is almost clear. Stop before it is completely clear to protect natural bacteria that maintain your fish tank's health.

4. Wash the remaining parts of the filter container with room temperature water. Remove the engine and wash it separately if this is possible.

5. Assemble the filter and place it back into the fish tank. Plug the filter back in and turn it on.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use hot water or soap, as they may kill the beneficial bacteria.

References

• Aquatic Community; Cleaning Your Filter; aquaticommunity.com; 2006
• Fish Tank Filters; Aquarium Maintenance- How to Clean Your Aquarium Filters; Ilse Hagen; 2011