"Geezer From The Freezer" wrote in message
...
Here is a question I've never known the answer too.

I have a Juwel Tank with it's own built in filter system.

The filters consist of the one cotton wool type sponge that sits
at the top. One black sponge (is this carbon) that sits underneath
and 2 big blue sponges, one finer and one coarser.

I have a 40 Litre aquarium with 2 moors (I know I need to upgrade soon)
it gets pretty sh*tty often. What is the best way to clean?
Tap water or tank water (when doing water change). Also how often
do these "sponges" need replacing. The Cotton Wool one gets messy
and I tend to replace that once a month or so.



I'd clean/squeeze out the sponges in tank water only, and replace the cotton
wool every time.
Tap water can kill the good bacteria in your sponges.

I usually replace my filter floss (cotton wool?) way more often then I do
everything else- it's too cheap by the bulk not to. Even if your filter asks
for a specific cotton wool sponge, I'm pretty sure plain cotton wool could
be used in it's place. Could be wrong though as I'm not familiar with your
filter.

As far as replacing the sponges- do them one at a time when they look to be
getting worn out. That's where your good bio bugs are, so you don't want to
remove/replace them all at once.
I'd not keep the carbon one in at all, but that's me.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm