![]() ![]() If not, replace the charcoal with a fresh batch. If you hear a faint popping or crackling sound, that is a good indication that the charcoal is still active and will continue to bind materials passing through the filter. Now perform a by-ear test and listen to the charcoal. Remove any loose charcoal, place the remaining carbon in a sieve or mesh strainer, and rinse with warm water until no more debris appears in the rinsate. As far as cleaning the activated carbon in the filter system, remove the filter box and place it in a sink or plastic tub of water. ![]() This will keep the chemical balance in the filters stable.īrush away any accumulated film or debris in the filter and return it to the cartridge holder. These chemicals are plant growth nutrients and the plants will readily remove them from the tank water to reduce levels.Ĭartridges can be cleaned very simply by removing the filter and prefilter cartridges and cleaning them by hand in the tank water that you have removed. If you find that your tank environment tends to produce too much nitrate, nitrite, and phosphate, invest in a few more live plants. They are also quite adept at helping to stabilize tank water chemistry. Many diehard saltwater aquarium enthusiasts swear by using live rock, live stone, or deep marine sand beds to introduce microscopic marine organisms (bacteria, algae, invertebrates) to the tank that contributes to the nitrogen cycle by nitrification of waste products. Live Rock and Sand Beds (Saltwater Tanks) Starting with too much of these chemicals requires you to invest in a reverse osmosis system, which will take care of the problem for you by purifying the water before it enters the tank. If you find that your source water contains a lot of nitrates, nitrites, and phosphates, these likely have entered into the water supply from agricultural runoff. In saltwater tanks, water changes are more of a burden, so replace about 10-15% of the tank water each week with clean, dechlorinated water. Each week, change 10-50% of the tank water (replace with dechlorinated tap water) and check your filters for cleanliness. ![]()
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