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For my 20g,I have an HOB Aquaclear filter. It has biological, carbon and mechanical media. I typically will rinse either the bio or the mechanical media once every two weeks (at a WC, in the old tank water before I water plants with it). The charcoal, I usually only replace monthly or use it after medicating the tank as I understand it basically turns to just a mechanical medium after a couple weeks.

So my question is this: How often if ever should I be cleaning the actual filter body, tube, etc?

Thanks,

Scott

Myself i do it every week along with a 20% WC; doesn't take but 15 minutes to clean all the tubes and the inside of the box. A couple of times i have found tiny platy fry inside the deposit

Every 3-4 months I completely take a filter apart, rinse all the tubes and slide a bottle brush up them, soak the impeller in vinegar, and wipe out the rest with vinegar before rinsing and putting back together. Just rinsing out tubes may be quick but it doesn't accomplish much. It's the impeller you want to concentrate on and that's best soaked and scrubbed with something stronger than water.

With the Betta tank 32lt (actual water) the internal Eheim is fully cleaned weekly in the old tank water.

The 5ft is totally different I have an Eheim Pro11 this is fully pulled appart monthly (last Sun each month) I wash every thing including taking the impella out and cleaning it with a soft tooth brush the area where it works is cleaned with a small bottle brush.

It will depend totally on your tank as to how often it should be done.

Carbon NEVER use it.

For your 20g I would take out the carbon and only use it if you think it is necessary after using meds. I would also strongly consider a full cleaning weekly.

As far as the body it only takes a few extra minutes to do it weekly.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/[/link

Keith

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The aquaclears are so easy to clean, I do it every other week or so, it only takes maybe 10-15 minutes at most. Unless you have a lot of calcium buildup or something that might take a bit longer.

I have the same filter and my only issue is algae buildup inside the tubes cause they are clear so light penetrates. I take it apart when I see too much algae in it.