Cleaning filter during cycling

I am starting a new 10 gal tank (it's almost 2 weeks old). Just wondering
if it advisable to clean the filter at all during cycling or just leave it
be? Thus far it is showing now signs of clogging so I'm thinking I should
just leave it. Any thoughts? Will it need at least a quick rinsing during
the cycle?

Also it is a Whisper filter and I am new to that brand. What is the best
way to clean those and replace the media without losing the bacteria? I've
read over a few different strategies on this and some seem to require
advanced surgical skills to pull off. I'm already kind of questioning my
decision to get the whisper, but surely there is an easier way to clean
them...

David McDermott wrote:
I am starting a new 10 gal tank (it's almost 2 weeks old). Just wondering
if it advisable to clean the filter at all during cycling or just leave it
be? Thus far it is showing now signs of clogging so I'm thinking I should
just leave it. Any thoughts? Will it need at least a quick rinsing during
the cycle?

Also it is a Whisper filter and I am new to that brand. What is the best
way to clean those and replace the media without losing the bacteria? I've
read over a few different strategies on this and some seem to require
advanced surgical skills to pull off. I'm already kind of questioning my
decision to get the whisper, but surely there is an easier way to clean
them...

Don't clean it unless it clogs, and then rinse gently in a bucket of
tank water or dechlorinated tap water at tank temperature.

The Whisper frame is supposed to grow enough bacteria that you can
change the cartridge without a cycle. I've seen people here say that
they rinse and reuse the cartridge until it falls apart or they need
fresh carbon.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

That Whisper filter you have has been around more than 20 years. Its a
proven, cost effective little number. I did exactly as posted earlier..used
the bio-bag 'till it just plain fell apart.

Thanks for the info, it helps a lot! I've read about folks who have gone so
far as to slice the bag open and refill the carbon. Is this even feasable
(or necessary), or will there be nothing left of the thing by the time the
carbon runs out?

"Altum" wrote in message
. net...
David McDermott wrote:
I am starting a new 10 gal tank (it's almost 2 weeks old). Just
wondering if it advisable to clean the filter at all during cycling or
just leave it be? Thus far it is showing now signs of clogging so I'm
thinking I should just leave it. Any thoughts? Will it need at least a
quick rinsing during the cycle?

Also it is a Whisper filter and I am new to that brand. What is the best
way to clean those and replace the media without losing the bacteria?
I've read over a few different strategies on this and some seem to
require advanced surgical skills to pull off. I'm already kind of
questioning my decision to get the whisper, but surely there is an easier
way to clean them...

Don't clean it unless it clogs, and then rinse gently in a bucket of tank
water or dechlorinated tap water at tank temperature.

The Whisper frame is supposed to grow enough bacteria that you can change
the cartridge without a cycle. I've seen people here say that they rinse
and reuse the cartridge until it falls apart or they need fresh carbon.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

Yeah..You can cut the bag open and replace the old carbon with new. Close
the bag up with a plastic twist-tie..not the paper kind you find on bread
loaves...anything plastic..you get the idea.

When you see some discoloration in your tank or sense a mild odor...(any
strong odors should send an alarm)...change the carbon. Remember to remove
the carbon if you find yourself have to add medications to the tank. The
carbon will render them useless.

I haven't priced bio-bags..I see Tetra still offers them.

David McDermott wrote:
Thanks for the info, it helps a lot! I've read about folks who have gone so
far as to slice the bag open and refill the carbon. Is this even feasable
(or necessary), or will there be nothing left of the thing by the time the
carbon runs out?

Carbon is usually spent after about a month, while the bag is perfectly
fine. That's why people slice them open. (Or why people like me use
Aquaclears with separate biofiltration and carbon.)

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

I just purchased two Emperor 400s as replacements for the two older 400s on
my 105 mbuna tank - the new filters are different - there's a different
design for where the impellor fits - and they are noiser - A LOT NOISER -
than even the older filters that they replaced.

I'm moving on to two Fluvals - it's sad to see the degradation in quality in
the Emperors
..
"MEAlston" wrote in message
...
Yeah..You can cut the bag open and replace the old carbon with new. Close
the bag up with a plastic twist-tie..not the paper kind you find on bread
loaves...anything plastic..you get the idea.

When you see some discoloration in your tank or sense a mild odor...(any
strong odors should send an alarm)...change the carbon. Remember to
remove
the carbon if you find yourself have to add medications to the tank. The
carbon will render them useless.

I haven't priced bio-bags..I see Tetra still offers them.

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:42:02 GMT, "David McDermott"
wrote:

I am starting a new 10 gal tank (it's almost 2 weeks old). Just wondering
if it advisable to clean the filter at all during cycling or just leave it
be? Thus far it is showing now signs of clogging so I'm thinking I should
just leave it. Any thoughts? Will it need at least a quick rinsing during
the cycle?

Also it is a Whisper filter and I am new to that brand. What is the best
way to clean those and replace the media without losing the bacteria? I've
read over a few different strategies on this and some seem to require
advanced surgical skills to pull off. I'm already kind of questioning my
decision to get the whisper, but surely there is an easier way to clean
them...

This is the second time today I've run across a new Whisper owner. My
first advice is RTFM, (read the fine manual). I don't mean to be
caustic, but the instructions that came with the filter are really
pretty thorough. Your Whisper comes with a brown flat sponge, around
post card size, maybe 3/8 - 1/2 inch thick. That sponge slides in
between the white biobag and the waterfall outlet into the tank. The
sponge fits in a black plastic frame, though them may be blue these
days. The sides of the sponge are slightly angled, so it only fits one
way in its frame. There is no need to do anything with the sponge,
perhaps a rinse in used tank water once or twice a year. This sponge
contains the majority of your "good" bacteria. Regarding cleaning the
filter, I guess I don't understand what you think needs to be cleaned.
The white filter "biobag" is installed right behind the brown sponge,
and the biobag is lifted out and rinsed in old tank water or disposed
of and replaced once a month, your choice. The bag slides on and off a
thin black plastic frame, don't wash the frame, it contains bacteria
too, and the new bag is held in place with a little clip on the top.
There is nothing else to clean. The remainder of the filter should not
need a cleaning . . . I clean mine before putting it in storage after
it's been in use for 5 or 10 years. I can't think of any filter than
needs frequent cleaning, other than replacement of the filter media,
which is usually floss bags and carbon.

-- Mister Gardener

Everything Aquaria & Tropical Fish at The Krib:
http://faq.thekrib.com/

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:37:18 GMT, "MEAlston"
wrote:

That Whisper filter you have has been around more than 20 years. Its a
proven, cost effective little number. I did exactly as posted earlier..used
the bio-bag 'till it just plain fell apart.

I generally let my biobags go 4-6 weeks, then a rinse, then a few more
weeks. They are available in 12 packs, and are less than a dollar
apiece in that quantity. The replacement package contains one or two
extra bio frames in case you've lost or broken yours, (I'm not sure
how that would happen so I have lots of extra frames), but the extra
bag-top clip supplied can be worth gold if you just lost your clip
down the sink drain or wherever those things disappear to when least
expected. The package also contains 12 packs of carbon, if you use
carbon in your biobags. (I don't routinely use carbon.) I've been
using Whispers since time began and I probably have a dozen around
here somewhere. No problems.

Recent new Whispers have been including a little plastic fishy that
you suction cup onto the front or side of your tank and when you press
the reset button one little red lite will begin blinking after a week
to remind you to do your water change and the other begins blinking in
a month to remind you to check and change your biobags. It's really
stupid, but it's free. And my 2 year old grandson knows that it is the
only thing he is allowed to touch on the tanks. He pushes the buttons
and the lights blink and restart my timer all over again. Small price
to pay considering all the other things around the tanks he could be
fooling with.

-- Mister Gardener

On Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:39:49 GMT, "David McDermott"
wrote:

Thanks for the info, it helps a lot! I've read about folks who have gone so
far as to slice the bag open and refill the carbon. Is this even feasable
(or necessary), or will there be nothing left of the thing by the time the
carbon runs out?

Their is no need to cut anything - the Whisper bag is a sleeve with an
open top that is held shut by a single clip. Adding carbon to the bag
is optional, though I think Whispers may come with carbon already in
the first bag. There are some aftermarket bags that come with the
carbon sealed in, made to fit Whisper, Marineland, and some others. I
prefer the empty bags so I can add what I want, which these days is no
carbon and some crushed coral to keep my buffer from sliding away into
never never land. So people add AmmoCarb, water softeners, all sorts
of stuff.

-- Mister Gardener