Cleaning canister filter

Dr RBG · 05/18/2017, 01:20 PM

When cleaning a canister filter (Eheim) is it necessary to use only tank or salt water or can you use sink or ro water ??

Thanks for the help.

heathlindner25 · 05/18/2017, 01:25 PM

Sink is fine.

static916 · 05/18/2017, 02:04 PM

When I do a water change I use that water to clean the canister's filter sponges and media. The idea is to rinse them so their beneficial bacteria doesn't get sterilized.

WatDatThing · 05/18/2017, 03:06 PM

I use tap water to wash and filled it with RODI water.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

AlSimmons · 05/18/2017, 04:23 PM

Being that there's plenty of beneficial bacteria covering pretty much everything that's submerged in your DT rinsing the media out under the faucet is fine. If the tank is still fairly new though then using water from the tank is probably the best option. At least give it a few months before you start using the tap.

billdogg · 05/18/2017, 04:26 PM

I used a canister on my 60g cube for all 22 years of it's existence. I washed the sponges in the kitchen sink every time. IMHO, using tank water just isn't worth the effort.

Dr RBG · 05/18/2017, 05:23 PM

Thanks, the eheim filter is additional to the sump so I think tap water will be fine,

ladynavyvet · 05/18/2017, 07:02 PM

When we were doing it ourselves, we used tap water, never had any problems.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Tripod1404 · 05/19/2017, 12:11 AM

I don't have a canister, but I regularly wash sponges, matrix and other stuff from my tank with cold tap water. Yes some bacteria probably dies but imo that is nutrient export. I then rinse everything with old saltwater from the water change and put back in. Last part about rinsing is probably unnecessary but I do that not to put a chlorine sucked sponge back to system.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/18/2017, 01:20 PM	#1
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	Cleaning canister filter When cleaning a canister filter (Eheim) is it necessary to use only tank or salt water or can you use sink or ro water ?? Thanks for the help.

05/18/2017, 04:26 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I used a canister on my 60g cube for all 22 years of it's existence. I washed the sponges in the kitchen sink every time. IMHO, using tank water just isn't worth the effort. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/18/2017, 01:25 PM	#2
heathlindner25 Moved On Join Date: May 2012 Location: flowery branch georgia Posts: 3,644	Sink is fine.

05/18/2017, 02:04 PM	#3
static916 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 67	When I do a water change I use that water to clean the canister's filter sponges and media. The idea is to rinse them so their beneficial bacteria doesn't get sterilized.

05/18/2017, 03:06 PM	#4
WatDatThing Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 830	I use tap water to wash and filled it with RODI water. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

05/18/2017, 04:23 PM	#5
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	Being that there's plenty of beneficial bacteria covering pretty much everything that's submerged in your DT rinsing the media out under the faucet is fine. If the tank is still fairly new though then using water from the tank is probably the best option. At least give it a few months before you start using the tap.

05/18/2017, 05:23 PM	#7
Dr RBG Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: New England Posts: 163	Thanks, the eheim filter is additional to the sump so I think tap water will be fine,

05/18/2017, 07:02 PM	#8
ladynavyvet Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 315	When we were doing it ourselves, we used tap water, never had any problems. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

05/19/2017, 12:11 AM	#9
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	I don't have a canister, but I regularly wash sponges, matrix and other stuff from my tank with cold tap water. Yes some bacteria probably dies but imo that is nutrient export. I then rinse everything with old saltwater from the water change and put back in. Last part about rinsing is probably unnecessary but I do that not to put a chlorine sucked sponge back to system. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk