Fish Folk Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 In many tanks... most, in fact, we keep 2x sponge filters. If I’m honest, I admit that I don’t squeeze these out often enough. When I do, I like to squeeze out one side only, and next time squeeze out the other. Today is “right kidney” day for some of my tanks. I confess to just squeezing out the sponge under tap water + tank water during a small water change. I haven’t found the tap water detrimental when just doing one “kidney” at a time. Now brace yourself! Here’s a few gross kidney photos 😬 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H.K.Luterman Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I'm the same way: pretty lazy about squeezing them out. My sponge filter cleaning schedule is "whenever I feel like it." 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertFish Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I clean my sponges in tap water all the time. There is enough bacteria in the tank itself that I never see a issue. (And when I say all the time it’s more like once in a while) lol 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HH Morant Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Fish Folk, I think your system makes sense. I read somewhere that the chlorine in tap water does not kill enough bacteria to matter. The same source cautioned against cleaning a sponge filter (or any filter) too often or too thoroughly, recommending that filters not be cleaned under running water or squeezed. As the sponge filter becomes more established, the bacteria becomes more durable and resistant to being washed away. I'll confess I don't know how to clean a sponge filter without squeezing it just a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remi de Groot Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 Here they don't use chlorine or any other toxic stuff in the water, so no problem with using tap water to clean the sponge. But still i try to do it in aquarium most of the time, just so i don't waste to much water. Prefer using the tap water to refill the aquarium after taking some out for the cleaning of the filter. Also i got the feeling i use less water in total this way, because you don't have the constant running water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquachris Posted June 23, 2021 Share Posted June 23, 2021 I do similar but more so when I feel like it lol. But if it's a tank with a single filter I don't worry about it and just clean. As said you have bacteria in other parts of the tank like gravel walls decorations plants etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bige7207 Posted June 24, 2021 Share Posted June 24, 2021 I’m with you I don’t clean my as often as I should. I also use tap water. Prime Time Aquatics has a really informative video on using tap water and how it’s not harmful as long as it’s not long term. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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