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RE: should i clean filter intake tube???

Punch1 — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:02:25 GMT

You are like I was 30 years ago and like most beginners are - in the keep every tube clean stage - like earlier suggestions - keep the impellers, and other parts relatively clean - leave the tubes to the bacteria and the algae -

I used to take them off weekly and clean them with a tube brush - dont do my mistakes - think in the world of the fish - not in the world of the Lysol human - you will enjoy you fish a lot more - and they will thank you for backing off...LOL

RE: should i clean filter intake tube???

David Lass — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:28:38 GMT

Green and slimy is good -- to a point. Remember, what makes a healthy aquarium is the good bacteria, and that is where they live. Your fish will be happier if you restrain yourself from cleaning everything.

RE: should i clean filter intake tube???

juloea — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:58:32 GMT

thanks! i'll try to resist the urge. i'll take filter apart and look for harlequin as i only looked in media. well, i'll make my husband do it...i'm not good with dead fish. thanks again!

RE: should i clean filter intake tube???

FattFishy — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:49:24 GMT

It might be some bacteria in there... I would leave it alone. You never know when you'll need it... for instance, making a quarantine tank. You can't instantly cycle without another filter, so put some of the bacteria. (although you'll need those ammonia monitors)... I see it as risky but better to leave it, all the water flow in there gives lots of food to them. Go ahead and wipe the outside, it won't hurt.

RE: should i clean filter intake tube???

Nikita — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:13:02 GMT

You can take a cloth and wipe the outside of the intake tube to get rid of that slimy feeling. But unless the filter intake is actually blocked or narrowed by buildup, you don't need to clean it. Try running a brush through it when you change your filter cartridge, once a month. But more than that shouldn't be necessary.

However, I'd look inside your filter and pull out the intake tube and impeller assembly and check for the missing harlequin. It may have been pulled inside, and you'll need to remove the body because you don't want that kind of decay in your tank.

should i clean filter intake tube???

juloea — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:56:47 GMT

i'm kind of a neat freak...so i often have to restrain myself from cleaning aquarium apparatus etc...but should i clean the water intake tube on power filter? it is a little green and slimy...how do i know when it should be cleaned and what is best method??? thanks for any help!