Filter Cleaning

[mpa]

Hello Everyone
I was wondering how often to clean my filter. I have a 75 gallon with a marineland 360 and 17 cichlids in there and 2 plecos. The cichlids are on average 3 to 4 inches. I do water changes on average every 5 days. I gravel vac every water change.

Also if I went to a bigger filter would I have to clean the filter less often? Any suggestions on a better filter. Not too hot on this one. Leaked twice on me and have to keep an extra gasket on hand. Very careful when taking apart and putting back together. Clean it about once a month.

Any advice would be helpful. Have had the tank about a year now. Thanks, Mike

[Marty]

First off, you don't need to do water changes so frequently unless your filter isn't working properly.  I have an Eheim professional II that I've had on my 75 gallon for over 4 years now with zero problems.

Also, when you do clean out the filter, I would not vacuum your gravel for at least a couple of weeks before so beneficial bacteria can grow on it.  I would also alternate vacuuming half of the tank at a time for the same reason.  Whenever you disturb the gravel, you're killing off some of the bacteria, so you don't want to do too much at once.

[mpa]

How often do you do water changes? My ammonia is 0 nitrites 0 and nitrates are usually around 30. Is once a month good for cleaning the filter?
Thanks for the info.

[Ron]

First off, you don't need to do water changes so frequently unless your filter isn't working properly.

It wasn't mentioned what the size of the water change is. If a really small amount, say 10%, perhaps it not a big deal.

If you're changing 40-50%, then I'd side with Marty that the water changes are unnecessary and perhaps stressful to the fish.

I tend to base my filter cleaning on when flow is reduced significantly enough to warrant changing the filter pad/media/floss/etc. So it's hard to say for your case exactly how long I would go. You might consider getting a second filter though. For tanks 40 gallons and up, I typically run at least two filters. Then you have to clean each less often, you can also offset cleanings so the beneficial bacteria in one stays undisturbed while you clean the other, and in case the filter somehow breaks, you already have a backup to keep the tank running while you find parts or a replacement.

[Cat(fish)lady]

I'm extremely lax on filter cleaning and water changes. (I only do it when I feel like it, not on any kind of schedule)
I'm sure many people wouldn't agree with my methods, but I don't have any issues with any of my tanks.

Gravel vac is NOT necessary every water change unless there is a lot of accumulation on top of your substrate. And if there is a lot every water change, then it's possible you at either over stocked or over feeding. 

I only rinse my filter foam when the filter flow starts to slow down, I rarely change them and only replace carbon every few months. My big tank (135) has 2 filters and I never rinse them at the same time!  I might water change once or twice a month and never more than approx 25%.

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=supplies%2Ffilters%2Fapi-filstar-xp-aquarium-canister-filter-zid36-16888%2Fcat-36-catid-300088%3Fvar_id%3D36-16888
This filter came with my tank and I don't have any problems with it, works pretty well. Until I can afford to replace it with a Fluval! Haha

http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=supplies%2Ffilters%2Ffluval-external-405-406-canister-filter-zid36-16927%2Fcat-36-catid-300088%3Fvar_id%3D36-16927
Or maybe consider one of these!

[mpa]

Thanks for the feedback. I usually do a 25 percent change. I have another  marineland 360. Would two of them on the 75 gallon be over kill? I feed 6 days (once a day) and skip one day

[Ron]

Sounds like a great feeding regiment.

A second 360 wouldn't be too much IMO. With cichlids, it's typically only "too much" if the current is too strong for the fish and they're getting blown around the tank.

[four_by_ken]

Just to add on the others comments... I only mess with my filters when I notice the reduced flow.

How often I vacuum the gravel depends on the tank.  The more fish, the more you need to do it.