{"id":1283,"date":"2019-04-13T08:20:56","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T08:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquarium-fish-plants.com\/?p=1283"},"modified":"2019-04-15T16:27:24","modified_gmt":"2019-04-15T16:27:24","slug":"cleaning-the-aquarium-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquarium-fish-plants.com\/cleaning-the-aquarium-filter","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning the aquarium filter: what do I have to consider when cleaning the aquarium pump?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once your aquarium has been set up, the care of your tank begins. In addition to the weekly partial water change, the aquarium filter must also be cleaned from time to time. However, the Aquarium Filter is one of the most important objects in the aquarium. After all, irreplaceable microorganisms that convert harmful ammonia into nitrate and thus directly contribute to the well-being of your aquarium inhabitants stay there for the equilibrium in the tank. What you<\/strong> have to consider when cleaning your tank filter<\/strong> and how often you should clean the aquarium pump you will<\/strong> learn in the following article!<\/p>\n

Why you need to clean an aquarium filter<\/h2>\n

In your aquarium filter you will usually find a combination of mechanical and biological filter media – for example sponges but also certain minerals. Even if biological sounds like nature and many an aquarist might believe that an aquarium pump does not have to be cleaned with biological filter media, an aquarium filter needs to be cleaned after a certain time, regardless of whether it is equipped with mechanical or biological filter media. This is simply because the filter media not only collect useful microorganisms, which are irreplaceable for the equilibrium in the aquarium, but also dirt particles. Too much filter sponge in the filter media reduces the flow rate in the aquarium filter. This ultimately leads to less and less water being cleaned\/rolled per hour, which in turn leads to noticeably faster pollution in the aquarium, in particular to an increased proportion of ammonia. When cleaning your aquarium filter, you will need to remove this excess filter sludge to ensure that your pump is working at a constant rate.<\/p>\n

\"Cleaning<\/p>\n

Why should I be careful when cleaning the Aquarium Filter?<\/h2>\n

In general, when cleaning the filter, you should remember that there are various useful microorganisms within the filter media that are of great importance for the well-being of your aquarium inhabitants. You have probably already heard of the nitrite peak, which can be observed in the early days of a newly established aquarium: this is caused, among other things, by the fact that these useful bacteria have not yet formed in a newly established aquarium. The microorganisms that inhabit the Aquarium Filter are significantly involved in the degradation of nitrite (nitrification), which in high doses can be fatal for aquarium fish. To avoid the formation of a high nitrite content in the aquarium, you should never remove too much filter sludge from your filter.<\/p>\n

How often should I clean my aquarium filter?<\/h2>\n

As described above, irreplaceable bacteria are living in your aquarium filters for the aquarium, which are significantly involved in the degradation of nitrite. In order to avoid damaging the bacteria so much that an excess of toxins can be produced, which could be fatal for your aquarium inhabitants, you should not clean your aquarium too often. In general, small internal filters such as those frequently found in smaller 54-60 litre aquariums or nanoaquariums require more frequent cleaning, while external filters (often present in larger aquariums) require less frequent cleaning. Cleaning is generally necessary when the flow rate of your aquarium pump has already decreased significantly (less than 70%-60% of the normal flow rate) and there is a lot of filter sludge in the filter media compartment.<\/p>\n