Have you ever let an aquarium filter get this bad? To see the last time I had an issue with a canister filter, watch here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZauTz8amc5inhKQ.html INTO THE AM t-shirts discount link: intotheam.com/tazawa Link to fish foods, plants, and aquarium supplies www.aquariumcoop.com

I've NEVER had a filter that bad. Then I've never gone a year without cleaning my FX. I've never had the outside sponges get clogged. It was a testimony to the FX brand how clean the tank still was.

I’ve been putting off cleaning my canister filter since I planned to do it in February. The ironic thing is that I plan to “just get it DONE” this weekend and your video came out! Thanks for the inspiration and keeping it real! Very much appreciated! I enjoy all your content. Thank you!

Thanks for bringing up the Prime Time Aquatics video re: chlorine and BB. There's some really great science communication in that video and I think the community should be talking about it more. PS- the editing on this video is great! Really enjoyed this one for the transparency and humor.

Your honesty is awesome. Shows people what you are doing is not staged. 👍

Gave me flashbacks of my bachelor days when I'd rediscover a long forgotten mystery casserole tucked back in the less explored sector of my refrigerator.

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

🤢🤮😆😆😆😆

I use a pitcher under the hose connector once it's disconnected from the filter. Quickly open and close the valve and let the dirty water run into the pitcher. Then no gunk and cloudiness when I restart. I hated doing all that work and watching that crud go back into the tank.

I don't think I've gone a whole year without cleaning a filter, but it's not uncommon for me to let my filter go months without cleaning. all my filters are just mechanical filters for water clarity. There is plenty of beneficial bacteria within the tank to process all the waste produced in the tank. I do bi weekly water changes. all my fish are healthy and breeding. great video Zenzo.

@dennisvanopstal7360

2 жыл бұрын

Ive done it plenty of times When it was for just one turtle or a few fish. When its not ovetstocked and you dont overfeed, and the filter is big enough you dont need to clean it that often.

I appreciate that you show the reality of managing a large number of tanks while also having a busy life. Canister filters are great for removing and storing waste Cleaning them is a process. I can see how it would be easy to skip it for a while. Interesting video. Thanks for sharing

Love the Saturday videos! Also love when you show that even the most seasoned and expert fish keepers aren’t perfect. We just do the best we can!

I greatly appreciate your transparency! I believe the hobby is far better served by your commitment to truth and reality. Thank you!

Everyone with house plants watching all that fertilizer 👁👄👁

@ShlingDing

Ай бұрын

I tried using old tank water and it grew fungus on my fiddle leaf, pine and papaya trees! 🤷🏻‍♂️🤔🫠

Oh my goodness, I can only imagine the smell... 😂

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

Actually, there was no odor. I guess that’s a good thing? 😝

@nabokovfan87

2 жыл бұрын

@@TazawaTanks I guess it sealed itself and stopped working entirely? Hard to say why there's no smell. One of the methods for me using powered filters like that (HoBs) is knowing when to change them based on that.

@kathrynthomas6390

2 жыл бұрын

@@TazawaTanks means there aren't some of the really nasty bacteria in there. I was in a micro lab and many of the nasty human bacteria stink. it helps us avoid them. (E. coli smells terrible, Salmonella not as much. Clostridium species are room clearing...) edit: I mean, I imagine at this point, it's basically amazingly well aged compost!

@UserError7861

2 жыл бұрын

Thought the smell comes from the cycle not being able to break down all the different compounds. So that if the tanks cycle, and/or plants, processes all the compounds efficiently there shouldn’t be much of a smell. I clean my canister filter based on water flow in the tank decreasing. So there’s usually a good amount of buildup in my filter as well. And fortunately I have not noticed mine having any bad odors either.

@andrewinniss5463

2 жыл бұрын

You nailed it, Timothy :). I'd also add that not all of such "guck" needs to be thoroughly cleaned when you're filter media looks like that. With a well-established filter like this one, really you could just swish the sponges and maybe squeeze them in a bucket of water (tank or tap). Just enough to get back decent flow. Lots of the "guck" is a beneficial little ecosystem.

I truely always enjoy your honesty about what it takes in the hobby. This was great entertainment...lol. That muck was insane.

I like watching videos like this; they're 'real'. Other fish keeping videos can either have a 'clinical' or 'sanctimonious' feel to them. I think that videos like this one reflects the vast majority of 'real life' domestic fish keepers. I don't think it is necessary to change your filter 'on the 1st of each month' (purchasing brand new media each time) with an 80% water change regardless (I think it can potentially be a waste of time and money). Some 'filterless' tanks still look good after several months (obviously with fish-keeper intervention). I think that with 'filtered' tanks, the filters ARE the (primary) intervention and that Fish-keeper intervention comes in when necessary (e.g. filter efficiency drops). Essentially, when you see a degradation in water quality / flow, then, 'it's time' (be it 1, 2 or 3+ months depending on on the set up of your tank). Good video.

Great Video Zenzo !!!! Love the effort you put in to it keep it up 👍🏾

Thanks for your honesty Zenzo, you're an inspiration to me. Cheers!

Better to forget to clean it than over clean the filters. When I got back into the hobby right after Christmas I was a clean freak and it hurt every fish I had/got. I really didn't know anything about the cycle ECT of a aquarium until I started watching you and aquarium co-op along with a couple others affiliated with the co-op. Thanks for making great content for us to learn from and have some entertainment.

I have ball valve and quick connect set up on the water change outlet on my fx6. When I do water changes, I hook up my python hose, turn off the output, and drain the tank like that. In effect it is flushing the filter by running the water through it, and extends time between services. If I am doing a substrate cleaning, I hook my python syphon to the same hose, and turn the intake off, along the same lines as the fluval branded vaccum.

I like your advice to wait 4-6 months to clean the canister. Some people do it monthly, but it doesn’t hurt to wait as long as there is good flow. Too many people use polyfil or pads that clog up too quickly, they aren’t needed at all in a canister.

@brandonmyerhoffable

2 жыл бұрын

I run a separate canister from my fx6 just for polishing pads. It's lighter and easier to change that one out. lol

@mikesmith-wk7vy

Жыл бұрын

yes , if you want clear water then finer filtration is needed for most people . that would mean changing it more often .

@k9feces

Жыл бұрын

@@mikesmith-wk7vy not true, biofilms created by heterotrophic bacteria remove particles smaller than poly fli is capable of.

Cool to show this , it’s a reminder for clean my Eheim3 Pro it’s been half a year since I’ve cleaned it

I have a challenge for you Zenzo! In one month. Make this video again. I think as a hobbyist I want to know what it looks like normally on that tank to understand what the timeframe is for that filter. Second challenge.... Find a filter that alerts you in some way when flow is reduced or bypass is happening. Some use your phone, I'm sure there are other ways. The challenge being, compare that to a sponge filter keeping experience and how much does a system like that nag you. What if you ignored it and just did the cleanouts weekly or monthly. What is the true "user experience" and which method do you prefer based on those two solutions?

That some good fertilizer for your houseplants

You’ve inspired me to clean my HOB filter I’ve been neglecting for a few months.

I find your transparency very refreshing.

Appreciate the transparency…and as you stated, remember to clean your filter!

Yep I also did the same thing not wanting to clean my fx6 after many months. When I decided to finally clean it the canister looked similar but not as bad as this.

Dude thanks for this transparency. That looked like my fluval 407 canisters (I have two) on a 125g for my fancy goldfish. I have to do that every 3 months they 💩 A LOT. Algae cleaners, canister cleanings and weekly 80% WC is the only way to keep my water clean. Gosh keeping is a messy yet fun hobby. Very rewarding

Thanks for sharing as always, nice to see behind the curtain. 🙃🙃

Actually seeing the gunk come out of the sponges is the most satisfying part! Can't believe you cut it out :(

Ohhh. Thats a good one. I once forgot about my old reef tank protein skimmer collection cup....

I just got a canister filter a little less than a month ago. I cleaned it today for the first time and put some additional media in. For three weeks, I must say the water and some of the media was pretty bad. However not like what you just had, but it took a little time to get it all washed out and cleaned up. The entire process took about a half hour.

I run an Oase Biotherm 250 and a 350 on a 65 gallon heavily planted and stocked tank cleaning pre filters weekly on both. Both have all Matrix media with Chemi Pure Green and Purigen. Full filter clean every four months. I always expect to see what you saw, but everything is always relatively clean. I think Oase are the best canister filters made.

@mabusfoo

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Amazing filters. I have a Biomaster and it's super quick and easy to pull out the first stage of small sponge filters and clean most of the gunk out. I do it every water change because it takes all of 5 minutes.

I love the way canister filters make your tank look but the process of cleaning them in comparison to a sponge is the biggest negative. Thanks for sharing.

Love your honesty! Suns out guns out!!

👍😎 Been there, done that. Your idea of getting us to remind you to do it again, brilliant. ✌️

Holy cow. That’s insane. Was the flow still sting coming out of the out take tubes?

When you changed I was half expecting a hazmat suit lol wow crazy to see just how bad it can get. Very therapeutic though once it’s cleaned. Great vid!

First i been in the hobby 40 plus years and totally agree with prime time Aquatics about rinsing with tap water is ok I've never had a issue. Also when i clean my cannister filter before i turn it on i put one of my large nets over the out put tube so it catches all that debrie that get pushed back into the tank when you turn it on again. Just food for thought. Later Z

your sump upstairs looks like mine I have on a 55 with a hang on the back. what does that setup look like ?

Love the vid ... All the best from the UK ....

It looked so satifying to see that filter reborn, all nice and clean!

I’m running two FX6’s on a 125 S.American cichlid tank and clean them when the flow starts to slow down, it’s mainly the polishing pads that are full of muck that slow the flow. I didn’t see you replace the polishing pad, do you use them and if not, do you have a problem with fine particles in the tank?

I have cleaned my filters for years and years and years in the sink with tap water and have never had a system crash.

I'll try to remind you when I do mine. Just set up a brand new FX6 2 weeks ago, I planned on october/April schedule because I don't have a large sink like that so I will likely be doing mine outside.. need decent weather where I live to do it so those two months work

What do you have to replace ?

I drain my Fluval 407 before starting and water my plants with it. Plants love it. Also use the water change water for my plants. I clean the filters average every couple of months, but I let the hoses go too long without a wash, and now that's a problem. I ordered a scrub bottle washer type thing for them and will clean them again when that comes in, which will be the second time in 3 YEARS. I'm a slob, poor fish, but tank looks pristine, water tests good and the fish are thriving. :)

Wow man! That was overdue for sure 😆 Props to Fluval for building a battleship of a canister filter to handle all that. I run about 3 month intervals on my FX4s for my 180G display tank, however I'm leaning towards I could go 6 months with no issue. I'll shoot you a reminder in October 😎

@lilybeaumont683

2 жыл бұрын

I use Alexa to remind me..I mostly use her for my fish..meds when needed cleaning turning on heaters after cleaning..

I do the same thing. I keep a bucket near by with primed water to put the biological filtration in so the bacteria doesn't die while I'm cleaning the mechanical filtration.

On my KZread channel I have done some canister filter cleaning that was over nine months or more between cleaning. I have two FX-6 canister, marineland canister, 407 fluval. Along with HOB filter.

Reading through the comments someone mentioned cleaning filters once a month. Never clean filters once a month. It takes a month for a filter to biologically recover from the last cleaning. In other words it never recovers. This is my thing with canister filters especially if you only have one or two tanks. If cleaning your filter every six months is a hassle. This is the wrong hobby for you. I realize people forget and that's fine I get it. I just don't understand how it's a problem to twice a year clean a canister. I have fifteen tanks and have multiple canisters on some of them due to the load on the tank. I don't wait six months or keep track of the last time I cleaned a filter. When I do water changes I leave the canisters on till the water level drops below the outlet. When I notice the water flow is reduced I clean the filter and usually it's just the floss that needs to be cleaned. The sponge is still good to go. As far as cleaning filter material in tap water goes. It doesn't hurt at all unless you let the filter material sit in tap water for over an hour and a half. That's how long it takes for the amount of chlorine in tap water to kill the bacteria in your filter. The couple of minutes it takes to rinse all the sponge does nothing. Whether you use tap or tank water the squeezing/rinsing the sponges gets rid of more bacteria than anything. All that brown nasty stuff is bio film. Literally a film made of bacteria. If tap water had enough chlorine in it to kill the bacteria in your filter by rinsing it. It would kill all the bacteria in your gut every time you drank water out the tap. This is why there is a specific amount of chlorine in your water.

Idk why is this funny to me but i cant stop laughing when you open it

I once waited over a year to clean my fluval 304, I didn’t it was so clogged up there was literally only drops of water coming out of the filter, not gonna let that happen again, but somehow the motor didn’t burn up so she’s still pumping to this day.

Amazing the filter still works at that point

I cleaned one of mine today first time four years ago it makes yours look clean

For me, anything over 55 gallons,a fluidized bed sump is the only way to go !

Once I opened my FX 4 and it was full of gelatinous gunk . It'd only been set up about 8 months, so I have no idea what that weird stuff was. I'd just noticed a marked difference in outflow. BTW, I noticed that You didn't drain your FX4 before putting it in your sink - I think this may have made the job twice as difficult - that filter holds about 3 gallons of water! Also, fun video !

I leave my fluval 407 and 406 go until the flow is barely coming out. When I open them they look a lot like your filter did. I've had my 406 for years, so long I actually can't remember, but I never cleaned the sponges with tank water always tap. I do have the same issue with those corrugated hoses fluval use. I wish they would put out regular smooth hoses for their filters.

Lol...bruh I did a fish rescue where I got the tanks and all the equipment, the guy told me the fx4 and fx6 hadn't been cleaned in about a year. You just gave me a case of Deja Vu, I absolutely feel your pain. I swore 6 months max for me, except the Fx6 where I keep my Delhizi Bichir I'm not going past 4. Great content as always, thanks for sharing and don't worry I'm so going to remind you.

I have fx4s on my 75 gallon tanks (one is African cichlids and the other houses an Oscar and a blood parrot) I was cleaning them on every 4th water change, I do water changes weekly with the African tank being over stocked to a degree and the other having a big ol Oscar (he’s about 6 inches still a juvenile) should I be cleaning them less or more?

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

I feel like once per month is a bit much (my opinion), and that maybe every 8-12 weeks would still be fine. However, whatever works for you should be fine.

I don't think its bad to leave it for a year so long as there is not much reduction in flow. To me, a filter ages like wine. Just put an intake sponge so it won't get clogged as often. Though its just the polishing pad to worry about, that could actually clog pretty easy.

Consider a pre-filter on that FX-6. I know where you can get them 😉🤣. It’s a game changer. Jay Wilson once described the inside of a neglected canister, “Like a hippo took a dump in it!” 🤣🤣🤣 That being said, I’m right in the middle of adding amps and sockets. Simple air filtration would make that unnecessary and be easier to back up in the event of a power outage. Also, I agree on the BB. Plus there’s a lot of BB in the substrate. Thanks for sharing this.

This makes me feel better about mine lol. I haven’t cleaned it since October and I have the extra bio load of two turtles... will definitely try to remind you next time I clean mine

Time wise, that’s not bad, if you only clean it every six months, or so. I would add it to my phone calendar and send myself a reminder. I have to that with a pill I need to take once a week.

Love the tee!

Bro that's liquid gold for gardeners. Its because your tank is chock full of cichlids lol. Not my favorite job but always good to get it done! Thanks for Videos!

I clean my fx6's annually, I have a pre-filter, never seen so dirty filter like this one in the video. Mine are totally fine, not much dirt in them at all, could run for 2 years :)

The fact that your FX4 was even still functioning, after being so nasty, says alot for the FX- Series.

It's helpful to use the port om the bottom to let out some of that water before opening the top. Makes it way easier to clean and less spillage etc.

My fish room consists of ten, 75 gallon tanks. 8 of which use FX4 cans. I clean the FX4s every 6 months. It takes me about 30 minutes per can. So I spend roughly half a day every 6 months on filter cleaning. I write the "date last cleaned" on a piece of tape on each can so I know when it's time.

i clean my Acuaclear 110 every 2 weeks , my tank is overstocked though and i use filter floss that clogs up more. although now i change water weekly and my floss wasnt that dirty so i might make it 3 weeks

I just put a canister filter on a tank a month ago, and pulled the prefilter, there was hardly anything. I'm hoping to go a year or so before opening and cleaning it. As far as using chlorinated tap water,I worked in a LFS several year ago, and we would clean our sponge filters monthly in tap water that was chlorinated and never had issues. I'm lucky that I have well water and clean my sponges in tap water all the time.

My friend waited to do both of his canister filters for over a year an he even said he would never do that again it was so bad an gunky. Now I got a canister filter an him an you both have now pushed me more towards doing it every 4 or 6 months. Maybe sooner cause I have alot of fancy goldfish.

Use the drain valve to do water changes and it wont get like that. I have an fx6 that I did my first cleaning after 6 months and it hardly had anything in it. I just do weekly water changes via the filter (and gravel vac) and change the top pad every month or so.

I’m just wondering how your fish survived. How did they not get poisoned from poop water recycling through the tank? I also have a canister and I clean mine at least once a month.

I have a question. I agree with you about sponge filters being nice, but there is a sound issue for me when it comes to air filtration. Could you suggest an air filter that is quieter than a small aquaclear? Thanks in advance

@darthblunt3833

2 жыл бұрын

Add an airstone into the sponge filter if you haven't already. Cory from Aquarium Co-op has a great vid on it. Cuts the noise in half.

@iT29o

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it and I'll give it a try

Sometimes I actually find small live fish in my canister filter that’s on my 125 African Cichlid tank.

I think I missed it, sponge filters use electricity and plugs as well, or do you mean because you can run a USB hub, so four or so USB nano air pumps off one USB port?

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

I have a central air pump (linear piston). It flows through 1” PVC piping along the ceiling. What I am saying with air, is that you can have one pump plugged in, providing air to a lot of tanks. Even a smaller air pump (normal diaphragm type) can easily power a few sponge filters.

I feel your pain... But I had to put a clothespin on my nose just to watch 😂

Loved this Video I'll be cleaning my canister filters tomorrow on my day off Glad I'm not suffering alone hehe Thanks Zenzo for making me laugh 😁 and Shouting Out Prime Time they are awesome 😎

I had canister filters for a year. They take too long to clean when the hoses need cleaning too. Years ago I made my own trickle filters on top of the tank. So easy to maintain. I clean sponges once a month, change the floss when it is dirty. So So easy.I clean the tubes once every 2 months. So easy

i think you more proved why canisters are impressive than not. No other type of filtration would allow for such neglect without huge water quaility implications or pure failure.

@bigdreams5554

2 жыл бұрын

Hamburg Matten filter (HMF) in a sump would beat it .. went almost 2 years, flow was unaffected. Anyway, still need to do water changes regardless

@da5kidd

2 жыл бұрын

@@bigdreams5554 this isn't too argue but realize that you mentioned a type of filtration that could be 2 independent types of filtration in order to say its possible. The canister is still impressive.

Once I opened my FX 4 and it was full of gelatinous gunk . It'd only been set up about 8 months, so I have no idea what that weird stuff was. I'd just noticed a marked difference in outflow. BTW, I noticed that You didn't drain your FX4 before putting it in your sink - I think this may have made the job twice as difficult - that filter holds about 3 gallons of water! Also, fun video - its fun seeing the experts not do perfection

I had to giggle. But things happen in life! Your fish don't seem any worse for the wear! I love your little mud skippers and always enjoy seeing them, by the way. They look comical. But at the same time, are so cute..

I have a one year old setup 32.5 fluval flex all in one. I substituted the standard carbon bags with Matrix and added optional second light and a small UV-c light that I run once in a while. Substrate is fluorite red avg 3” some stones, about 33% (visual impression) planted, a bubble wall run by usb pump. The load is high in my opinion but it’s nano fish, amano shrimp and mystery snails all told about 130-5 creatures. Water parameters nominal and clear. Now to the point…I’ve “cleaned” the two foam filter twice and found almost no solid waste each time. Has anyone had a similar experience?

That’s the only thing with canister filters, people generally forget The last time they done them or leave them go for to long. I’ve got three of them running. After watching this video I’m going clan one of them today.

@lilybeaumont683

2 жыл бұрын

One of mine is clear..its the smallest if that's dirty I know the others are not far behind..

it's been a year and my fx6 on a 75 gallon tank didn't look that bad. live plants and 40 fish over fed.

Are air driven filter okay for turtles?

@TazawaTanks

Жыл бұрын

As long as the turtle doesn’t bite the sponge material off. Something like the Ziss bubble filter would be ideal if you want air driven. Here is the link. I have a couple of these in my 125, and another one in my 90 gallon. www.aquariumcoop.com/products/ziss-bubble-bio-moving-bed-filter

New fishkeeper here-I love your vids, and your honesty! Also ew that filter was grody to the max! 😂

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

LOL. Grody to the max...we must be around the same age. I haven't heard that term in years! I am happy to read that you like my videos!

@cathlinejohnson1856

2 жыл бұрын

@@TazawaTanks lol yeah after I sent that I was like “welp, now everyone knows how old I am🤦🏼‍♀️” hahaha It’s all good though, I love being a child of the 70s/80s! ❤️

Makes me glad I ditched canisters and sumps long ago. All air driven filters except a few that have hob and sponge/ ugf combo

Hey I have a canister and if you don't already get and intake sponge for your intake on the canister filter. Not only do you get extra mechanical an biological filtration but you save so much gunk from getting into your tank! Btw it's time to clean your canister@

Nice video.

8:18 best video ever!!!

Mines been over 6 months. It happens. Don't beat yourself up!

👀 Thanks For Sharing ✍

Looks like perfect timing to me

That was one crazy dirty filter lol. Zenzo If you wanted you could set a date in your phone calendar when you want to clean it and it will give you a notification.

Hi….have you tried the coop pre filter on that Fx6…total game changer…ask Ben Ochart…I haven’t messed with my sunsun 3000 in over a year..last time I cleaned it..it had gone 6 months total wast of time it was pretty clean..now over a year water crystal..and good flow…90g..big green terror and 10 other cichlid s…COOP pre filters are AWESOME 👍

@TazawaTanks

2 жыл бұрын

Yep, I do have one on there.

Why don’t you add the filter clean to your calendar?

I never clean my mechanical filter media in tank water i always use a hose for that.