Cleaning a Fluval 407 after 6 MONTHS! | SUPRISE INSIDE!

How bad is the gunk inside a canister filter after 6 months? It's not the dirt that surprised me!
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[@Unclesam629]

I always clean my filter with tap water, but I clean it every three months.

[@ssaquascapes]

I clean mine when the flow slows to a snails pace. 🤣

[@jdssurf]

Every time me or my freinds while learning had one filter, and cleaned it all with chlorinated tap water, on non planted tanks, crashed the entire system. Every single time. About 5 for me until I learned, then taught them to stop. Some of them wanted to quit the hobby until they figured it out.

[@ssaquascapes]

I only have experience with planted tanks so I can’t confirm nor deny the effect on a non-plated tank.

[@garyknowles3266]

thank you, someone finally did a video showing using tap water to clean the canister filter, I always clean my Fluval 307 using tap water because it never made since to me to use dirty aquarium water to clean the filters.

[@ssaquascapes]

The ‘ol crashing the cycle myth: one of the hobby’s oldest fears. 😛

[@KingOfAquariums]

@@ssaquascapesglad other people know this and I’m not a lone. Never once had an issue with tap water. Not even adding directly into tank without “dechlorinating”

[@johnjrkean7008]

U biological slayer!!!! 😢😢😢😢😢

[@ssaquascapes]

🤣 Bacteria go bye bye. 🤣

[@blakeyb9512]

I had 3 khuli loaches in my 307 when I come to clean it 😂

[@ssaquascapes]

It’s amazing what live and GROWS in their isn’t it. 🤣

[@michelekatz2884]

So it’s okay to clean the filter and change the water at the same time?

[@ssaquascapes]

Well that is the big debate right? But I do it often and see no adverse effect on MY aquariums

[@tedblack2163]

It takes over 60 minutes contact time for chlorinated tap water to start killing beneficial bacteria, this is from a marine biologist.

[@Merb34st]

Better safe than sorry

[@ssaquascapes]

Excellent input @tedblack2163. Thank you! 🙏

[@10Bigfisher]

Appreciate this!!!

[@stevemc6861]

I KNEW it! Thanks marine biologist. You just made filter cleaning that much quicker!

[@garywong6084]

It's no problem to wash it with tap water. Wring it dry after washing and don't soak it in water. It won't be harmful! What's there to be afraid of? ? 😊😊

[@BobtheSlark]

I've always, in 60 years of fish keeping, cleaned my filter and media with tap water from the running tap and NEVER had a problem in either planted or tanks with only substrate.

[@ssaquascapes]

I think people just hear one part of “X” information and then run with it. 🤣

[@jdssurf]

Good for you, chlorine kills the good bacteria, so being that tons of the country chlorinates their tap water, it is a huge mistake to do what you do unless you have other filters running. It's extremely scientifically proven that it kills the good bacteria and I killed my fish three times until I realized what I was doing wrong. Same for all the other people I know that did the same thing.

[@gmoorach]

I recommend putting all the filter floss before all of the biomedia in the filter. This will keep the biomedia as clean as possible, allowing them to work closer to peak efficiency. Looks like to could take the biomedia from basket 2 and split it between baskets 3 and 4. Then simply fille basket 2 with floss. This really would be the best organization of your media in the filter.

[@ssaquascapes]

Probably right per the order of media. But I just fill in any gap I can with FF because I am a FF freak! 😁🤘😁🤘 I am a firm believer in the bacteria within the aquarium too so the filter doesn’t bother me too much.

[@midas2252]

What goes in basket 1?

[@ssaquascapes]

@@midas2252 the medium coarse sponges that come with the filter.

[@Madara-jk6yu]

Hello, Everyone says that we should wash the biological material with aquarium water. But you don't. Why? Greetings

[@ssaquascapes]

The water I get from the county through the tap has a pretty low chlorine content. My water company does not use chloramine, and for these reasons, I don’t believe the short exposure to tapwater has any detriment to my biological or beneficial bacteria. Also, the aquariums that I run large canister filters on have enough surface area within the large aquarium that any beneficial bacteria killed in the filter will not disrupt the ecosystem. Unfortunately, I believe that a lot of our aquarium information is based on studies done many years ago. This information is regurgitated throughout the aquarium hobby without accounting for new technology or new water treatment practices. I have seen no adverse effects rinsing my filter media in tapwater when cleaning my filters. Keep in mind, this may differ in your area as every municipal water system varies on the amount of chemicals used to treat the water. Hope all that rambling helps. Thanks for the questions and support! 🤘

[@Madara-jk6yu]

@@ssaquascapes Thanks for answering

[@IAMAREALOSPREY]

It is far more important to worry about the beneficial bacteria in the filter if you are not running a planted tank. I only run planted tanks so I do the same thing you do and just clean the filter media in chlorinated tap water.

[@ssaquascapes]

Good to know I’m not alone! 🤘🤘

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

That’s how I clean my pond filters. If I had to use declorinated water I would go through a gallon, unless you had well water. 😂I think what’s important is having the bacteria in the water. It’s like the people that say your uv tube is too big. Like the ones that are huge and are separate to have the water flow through it. It’s impossible, the plants, substrate walls the water all have bacteria on it. My uv is in my pond pressurized filter covered to just hit the water. I would find regular worms in my filters, never knew worms could live under water like that.

[@pas100657]

I've rinsed all the filter material from my filters in tap water for years with absolutely no issues.

[@ssaquascapes]

Yup! No adverse effects that I see. 🤘

[@matt79hz]

A friend of mine did it and he killed his entire tank. Stank the house out.

[@ssaquascapes]

I would imagine that different areas have different tap water perimeters. So I understand your frustration and your friends as well.

[@Merb34st]

How ok is the wife with you using her sieve? My wife hates it when I use anything from the kitchen for the fishtank

[@DashDrones]

Same here 😂

[@ssaquascapes]

I just gamble that she doesn’t watch the video! 🤣🤣

[@Merb34st]

That's dangerous... you must have a comfortable couch. @@ssaquascapes

[@hectorlinares6431]

simple, get your own staff at any dollar tree store and keep it at the side just for your tank maintanace porpuse.. happy wife happy life...

[@geertwanten1841]

Ow I’ve noticed that you have co2 installed. Can you show in closeup me how you did this with the stock hose? I have a reactor that I want to install 😬

[@ssaquascapes]

All you need is accessories that have an outside diameter of 16mm. That will allow you to clamp the stock Fluval ribbed hose to any accessories with the same OD. Many combinations can be made. Thanks for watching and your comment. 🤘 Best…

[@shannon5373]

Good lite hearted vid. Keeping it simple stupid is exactly how I like to operate. Nice looking tank. I just subscribed ✌️

[@ssaquascapes]

Thank you so much! I love the KISS theory as well. 🤘 I think we overcomplicate a lot of this hobby.

[@rahulbdey789]

you are good as benfecial bacteria 😂😂😂 i😂 like your videos

[@ssaquascapes]

Thank you very much! 🤘

[@draidt]

Always look forward to your down-to-earth videos! I am going to set up a new tank in the future and want to foray into Shrimp keeping and you will be my supplier. BTW the plants I purchased from you are doing great!

[@ssaquascapes]

Thanks so much. I appreciate it. Thanks for your support! 🤘🤘

[@mauriciorocardes9228]

Esto esta lleno de puro filtracion mecanica

[@ssaquascapes]

Mostly

[@mauriciorocardes9228]

Ya lo modifique y quite las charolas rojas ,eso me ayudo a meter más material biológico (matriz)

[@hectorlinares6431]

I'm with you on the good bacteria philosophy the colony is deep inside in the bio-media so washing the dirt off won't kill it but I wonder, why dirt your hands getting in contact with it? get a disposible gloves for it if you like it so much to do it. there is bacteria that is not compatible with yours and if you have just a little sore in your hands ..... also a contradiction, again, in that good bacteria philosophy, why to wash that super dirty and the ugly gummy sponge?... get a new one!!! (like I do) avoid getting dirty and a possible infection. walmart has it cheap in the craft section. finally place a DIY pre filter in the inlet tube to avoid all those little aliens getting inside your filter.

[@ssaquascapes]

I agree one problem with the Fluval intake is the slots are too big. Baby animals get inside. Referencing the bacteria infection in humans: have you seen the video of the KZbinr who got an infection in his arm from his fish tank? Nearly killed him. 😳

[@edyoung6573]

Definetly going to get the 207 for my 29 gallon. Have a Fluval C3 on there going on 5 years now. Time for a upgrade. (mechanical pads and Matrix only)

[@ssaquascapes]

I have three 107’s a 207 and the 407. My preferred filter. Good choice for your 29G

[@P.B5864]

407 is the best👍🏼 I bought one for myself. It would be cool if 507 appeared instead of fx4, for example, or as an alternative to it. In my opinion, episode 7 is better than fx🤷🏻‍♂️ Have a nice day everyone .

[@ssaquascapes]

I agree. I prefer the 7 series over the FX

[@LindaNewman-vt9xy]

Thank you!!! I’ve been cleaning my filter with tap water for years. I agree with you, I want a clean filter if I’m going to all the effort!!

[@ssaquascapes]

Yup. Research has advanced since that old advice of tap water no-no’s. 🤘

[@DashDrones]

Just cleaned my 307 after 6 months, was full of bladder snails 😂

[@ssaquascapes]

The snails love filter inlets!! 🤘🤘

[@DashDrones]

​@@ssaquascapeswatching this now, didn't have time earlier. You have the same snails 😂

[@ssaquascapes]

Yup. Little buggers love to live in a filter for months. Always amazes me!

[@geertwanten1841]

I’ve added extra ceramic media to the filter as there is room enough. What they deliver from factory with the filter is too less. I’ve also installed a sponge on the inlet tube to prevent plants and shrimp to multiply in the filter 😬

[@ssaquascapes]

I agree with everything you’ve done. While I am not sponsored by Fluval, I understand the need for keeping manufacturing costs down by limiting the amount of media included with the filter. I own a business in retail and understand that it is difficult to provide value to the customer and still maintain a profit. But all in all, I think Fluval does a good job of providing value for the customer. Thanks for watching the video and I appreciate your support.

[@rademenes80]

What a satisfying video! Love a good clean!

[@ssaquascapes]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🤘

[@davidewart5524]

Brilliant and honest well done, very enjoyable.

[@ssaquascapes]

Thanks for watching and the compliment!

[@usmc187]

Placing the fish net on the outlet when you turn the filter back on in such a great idea. I wish I saw this video yesterday when I cleaned out my canisters lol

[@ssaquascapes]

Its a neat little trick that’ll become habit for you. Glad to share it with you for your next cleanout!

[@culitozombi]

I never clean the filter material with tap water

[@ssaquascapes]

Lots of people are with you. Most use aquarium water.

[@danyyelmendes]

I got identical results on mine 307, +/- 6months any change i can made on filter to reduce water smell?

[@ssaquascapes]

Water smell comes from organics in the aquarium. I have this issue with my snail breeding tanks (snails are stinky). In these tanks, I use activated carbon. You can add a large bag of carbon in the filter to remove the odor, change it when odor returns. Keep in mind that carbon will remove some of your liquid fertilizer if you use it. Hope that helps.

[@vernongerety8847]

Never been so excited to clean my Fluval 207…thanks for easing my guilt of using tab water and the net on the outflow during restart is worth the price of admission

[@ssaquascapes]

Enjoy your cleaning session! 🤘

[@derrill7079]

Blue sponges backwards

[@ssaquascapes]

Fluval installs them this way and bumpy side out is common practice in the hobby. But, if your filter works better the other way, do it that way. Great thing about this hobby; it’s just like Burger King….you can have it your way! 🤘😁🤘

[@DialedN_07]

He installed it correctly in the video

[@stelarter9276]

whats that thing connected to the clear pipe to the inlet/outlet pipe on your filter?

[@ssaquascapes]

I think you’re referring to the inline co2 diffuser. If you mean the silver thing near the top of the filter.

[@stelarter9276]

thank you @@ssaquascapes

[@buddy5152]

im amazed that that bass doesn't rip up that aquascape

[@ssaquascapes]

Oh he does! As we speak it is spring spawn and he knows it. He has made 2 beds and ripped up all the ground cover. 🤣🤣

[@StonedMason15]

Great Video. My only problem is i've never thought of putting a net on the out flow. Now i feel stupid lol

[@ssaquascapes]

Nah, don’t feel dumb. I learned from another famous FishTuber myself! 🤘

[@StonedMason15]

@@ssaquascapes tried it last night on one of my canisters and worked great! gonna try the wifes veggie strainer next and compare lol

[@ssaquascapes]

🤣 Be careful with the veggie strainer. Wives don’t like fish water on their strainers. But if you don’t post it on KZbin like me, you might be able to get away with it! 🤘