How to clean a canister filter: Fluval 406

[@ADUAquascaping]

Great method. I used to do the wipe down method when I had Cichlids. Great method for most people. In the planted tank there really aren't that many beneficial bacteria because of the acidic environment and plants consuming most available ammonium. Bacteria rely on carbonate hardness to metabolize the ammonium. In a heavily planted tank the filter is mostly for mechanical filtration. Given there is beneficial bacteria, just a lot less. Thanks for sharing.

[@PhilMargolies]

This video is a keeper. 👍 Every so often I have to review this to remind myself to not go "too crazy." 😉

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@princebee7043]

very helpful video. i cant tell you how much easier it is to just stop the flow in the tubes and pop them off completely. i just did this the other day and i popped the tubes off like an idiot and had to get a bucket to let the water run into it then get down and dirty inside the filter. then after i was struggling to prime and push water up the tubes. your way is much better. thank you

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👊🏼

[@NickMach007]

Good video. Nothing wrong with that method. I do things a bit differently. You will not have any problems finding sponges in tap water. You CANNOT kill all that bacteria with a brief chlorinated tap water rise. Your wife is a nurse, right? Talk to her about asceptic technique and sterile environments...And since sponges are mainly mechanical filtration, IMO best to have them as celiac add possible. Now when it comes to your biological media, that's where I follow your method (though I do give each basket a quick shake in tank water to remove large waste). And excellent advice to clean the impeller. One last thing I do. Maybe 2x per year I actually remove the black gasket clean it up and grease it with a light coating of food grade silicone (helps prevent that leaky gasket problem you described). If I was really paranoid, I'd keep and extra gasket and impeller on hand...But I'm only mildly paranoid.

[@MASSAquariums]

Lol Bri. I'm a IV pharmacy technician so I know all about aseptic technique. I have rinsed them off in the sink before but the tank went through a cycle and I got a ton of brown algae so I have been sticking to this method which has worked nicely. I do shake the baskets out ounce in awhile but they didn't look that bad. I am an over paranoid preparer. That's the boy scout in me. I have a backup of everything. Intake tube. Out take nozzle and yes I actually have 2 backup gaskets because I am that paranoid. I usually use canola oil to grease that gasket every 6 months. I also do a more labor intensive cleaning of my filters but I tried to keep it short and simple so people don't get bored and click it off. Thanks for watching.

[@joed.4571]

Thanks for the vid, all boxes ticked I'm going shopping for a Fluval filter to replace my Eheim now. Cheers from oz

[@MASSAquariums]

Cool man.

[@erikwappa4956]

one of the best cleaning and yet not so clean filter vids . excellent job.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks bro

[@bkm6175]

great video. the only thing that I do differently after cleaning I fill the canister about 3/4 way up with aquarium water I found this helps this makes startup faster

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep. I do the same.

[@captainedc]

This is a great video thanks. I will follow your method now but the ONLY thing I would do differently is I would still use the sink for the plastic stuff but rinse it in aquarium water after. It will come cleaner that way and most of the beneficial bacteria is on the other stuff. Also I will still ROTATE adding a new sponge or long filter into the process. Usually I pick the most beat up or dirty one. I also just rinse the boxes into the dirty water but just a little bit. My only question is when do you change out the carbon bags and how ?

[@MASSAquariums]

Every couple Months you change them. I don’t use them anymore though

[@matthewsalyer9804]

So I made the mistake of not fully closing off the tubes and learned my lesson. I’ve saved this to my favorites for the next time I do this to avoid a meltdown as my floor pools with water from my tank 😂.

[@MASSAquariums]

Hey, it happens. Thats how we learn this hobby. Making mistakes. I have a whole series on all my mistakes. lol

[@Summy781]

very informative, just what I was looking for. Nice video...

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks

[@RealEstateAlchemist1031]

Good video. Thanks for doing it. I just used this method and it went fine. I did replace some of the media though as it was deteriorated.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Steve Clements 🐟👊🏼

[@isabelmarin8112]

@@MASSAquariums iouup I out I I utter ok ui ok pbmbmoib poop oki

[@christopherzepeda2097]

I was wondering if it still works? I’m planing on buying the same one used for a year and I want to make sure it’ll still work if used over a long time

[@tracydonnelly3570]

Thank you so much.

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks for watching

[@kevthetrucker]

Great video thanks,when you've emptied the water and cleaned it do you hook it back up dry and it then self fills from tank or do you add water first tia

[@MASSAquariums]

I fill it right up to the top with water and add some dechlorinator

[@markcopley7366]

YOU PUT SPONGES IN UPSIDE DOWN

[@MASSAquariums]

Lol. I fixed it.

[@Laoxxufiiccjjsdjcjcj]

I love how he doesn't go to crazy lmafo

[@MASSAquariums]

+zack johnson 👍🏻

[@UncalBertExcretes]

I have the 406 it does a good job and is very easy to work with,,, But it has a major flaw, by design its a bypass filter which means water can bypass the filter media completely, so its very inefficient especially when it starts to clog... Once your sponges clog the filter bypasses more and more untill the point theres almost no flow going through the bio media, which over time kills the bacteria from oxygen starvation I think im gonna swap out my 406 for a zero bypass canister like the Eheim classic series.

[@MASSAquariums]

+Kaine Bassett interesting. As little big as you clean the filter every 3 months or so you should be good

[@bryancharman2390]

I inherited a 306 (which is smaller by a media basket and lower flow rate) and looked into upgrading it with the 406 filter canister and extra basket. I personally dislike the mechanical/foam filter setup that come with Fluval filters and initially opted to make my own made up of coarse/medium/fine in place of the foam basket. This overcomes the issue of flow bypass as you described, but it should never get to that state IMO. I've since added an external filter booster for a fraction of what the 406 canister would have cost and this houses all the mechanical filters inline before the 306 which is now just full of bio media. I also now only service the booster filter every 1-2 months and don't need to worry about opening the 306. I check it every 6 months just to be sure, but I never need to touch the bio media anymore

[@easy4978]

nice video!! how do you feel about Fluval canster filter sponge? do they do good work for aqurium?or we need change to other kind of sponge ? I want to buy 406 now bot I am not sure I need buy Fluval or Eheim .....

[@MASSAquariums]

The sponges are great. I would highly recommend

[@unacarafea567]

"You don't want to go too crazy". "Boom" done.

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@kingston5885]

Very helpful ! How often do u need to clean the filter ? I just bought this filter and I'm cycling my tank . Plus , when I do regular water change , do I need to refill the water in the filter ? I have a aquaclear 110 which I need to refill the filter before it starts working again after water change

[@MASSAquariums]

+Miss Girl Girl every 3-4 months. No your good

[@softaco3088]

Would you recommend that filter on a heavily planted 75g rainbow tank?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes. I ran this on my 75 heavily planted for many years

[@PoppopAdventures]

Instructions from Fluval say output nozzle should be above water surface while priming. Once the filter is flowing, can the output be submerged?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes

[@maddyd2066]

I'm setting up a 54 gallon fresh water community tank. Which canister filter do you suggest? And which filter media do you use? I'm used to the HOB filter

[@MASSAquariums]

Flu all 406 all day. The ceramic rings are pretty good

[@MASSAquariums]

Fluval

[@maddyd2066]

Thank you!

[@oklbb101]

How often, if ever do you actually change your sponges and/or other media?

[@MASSAquariums]

+oklbb101 sponges every year. Media almost never

[@oklbb101]

Thanks! Looking at a canister for my next tank so this is helpful :) I was up till 1:30 last night watching your videos! Great stuff

[@bluecollaraquatics5268]

I have a 406 as well. Instead of ceramic media what if I use foam instead? Like 30-45 ppi for bacterial filtration? Tons of more surface area . ... Bottom media tray stock black foam Second tray, 20 ppi medium foam Third, 30 ppi Top media tray filter floss or carbon

[@MASSAquariums]

You could try that. Yeah

[@coltonshumway1]

I just got a used one for free with the 35 gallon tank. I’m not sure how long it sat any suggestions on what to do to clean it?

[@MASSAquariums]

Hot water, no soap. You can use vinegar if you want. Order a new o ring seal for the top too. Just to be safe

[@2keeperv]

Very helpful buddy Thank you

[@MASSAquariums]

👍🐟👊🏼

[@ensendio809]

Hey just a quick question where should i place the intake and output? Opposite sides or together? #letsgopats

[@MASSAquariums]

I go opposite all the time. Go PATS

[@chriswhitey1978]

Never use carbon in planted tanks? What risks in your opinion does carbon pose to the plants?Ever use seachem purigen? Thoughts on it for dirted planted tanks?

[@MASSAquariums]

I have since studied and only use carbon if you are not dosing liquid ferts

[@Kapybaraaa]

If I want to only water change and not clean the canister filter, can I leave the water in the unit or will that damage it? Because the instructions says to not fill the unit with water when reassembling.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes you can leave the water in. I need not clean mine out every 3-4 months

[@Kapybaraaa]

MASS Aquariums Thanks for the help and fast response!

[@AbusharifVideos]

Can I ask what bio media that you use? Specific brand name? Also, I understand that you don’t use carbon in a planted aquarium with fertilizer. Do you use carbon in you unplanted African cichlid tank? Thanks, after years of owning a reef aquarium , I’m looking to start a new freshwater tank.

[@MASSAquariums]

I like biohome ultimate media and yes I use carbon in all my other tanks

[@AbusharifVideos]

MASS Aquariums thanks very much

[@sinistersteve8244]

Was just wondering is the top 3 media trays the same media? I've just got a 406 and was wondering what the best media set up was?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep. All the same

[@sinistersteve8244]

MASS Aquariums ok thanks. I've got bio home ultimate. I've heard good things about it.

[@sage5757]

Mass I love this video but maybe some better camera angles and a quick little review of your media. Also question were would I put my water scrubber pads the white ones? Im out!!!

[@MASSAquariums]

On the side or bottom

[@sage5757]

MASS Aquariums thank you sir keep up the good work I ordered one of your my aquarium boxes.

[@maricelac0325]

what are the three types of media that you are using?

[@Model_BT-7274]

How does it handle aquariums with sand?

[@MASSAquariums]

Really well. You can always put a pre filter on too

[@philshifley8088]

Do you unplug this first and then shut the hoses off or vice versa?

[@MASSAquariums]

+Phil Shifley hoses first

[@jennifers.8159]

What would be the reason to use or not use carbon in this filter?

[@MASSAquariums]

It’s pulls toxins from the water column.

[@Igor-q3f]

you installed the black sponge upside down.

[@MASSAquariums]

I know. Haha

[@josephkent3238]

Thank you

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@vinnyv579]

what kind of rocks are those in your canister not the bio max??

[@MASSAquariums]

+Vince Velardi seachem

[@DnTXnss]

And, what about the cleaning if I have turtles instead of plants?

[@MASSAquariums]

Same thing.

[@brandonlyautey9803]

turning off the unit for a water change is ok right?

[@MASSAquariums]

+Brandon Lyautey yes

[@pakcikjojohanpakcikjo2837]

How many weeks it needs to be cleaned?

[@MASSAquariums]

I do every 2-3 months

[@sully3944]

Anyone get that website he said at the end?

[@kodra123]

I'm having endless issues with mine, it hasn't cleaned good since I got it. I've cleaned it out. The top doesn't come off easy I have to fight 15mins to get it off and when I reassemble and try to get it going it takes forever to work again, sometimes days! Any advice!! Maybe a video of how to start it up after cleaning

[@MASSAquariums]

I fill mine all the way with water and clean the impeller

[@MrRibbleman]

Fill the filter when empty up to the top ,Put your filter top on hammer it down with a rubber mallet making sure it's sealed ,Click both secret looks on,Now fill the two holes up with tank water put your two pipes on click your red flap down and prime should start immediately

[@GothicKittyMadness]

"Really careful" Is that why you threw it like a knob?

[@MASSAquariums]

+GothicKittyMadness eh.

[@magzire]

Who would of thought that cycling fish poop is actually saving the fish from ammonia

[@MASSAquariums]

😂

[@someoyou]

Why not to use a brush to clean impeller in case not to damage it?

[@MASSAquariums]

+Oleg Reshetov you can

[@vicaroo001]

I love your shoes. Where'd you get those?

[@MASSAquariums]

Thanks. LL bean slippers

[@aquariumcockpit9949]

is this all you need for filtration to run your 75?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@aquariumcockpit9949]

MASS Aquariums Thanks for your quick response! I just Scored a Christmas sale on a Marineland 75 tank with glass cover, light and gorgeous stand for $249 at Petsmart!. My first time with a tank this large. Kinda nervous. Your videos and feedback have been a great confidence booster. I have subscribed to “my aquarium box” to show support. Thanks.

[@MASSAquariums]

That’s awesome. You’ll do just fine. Thanks for all your support. I appreciate it. Happy holidays

[@KeepingItFishy]

is that the only filter your runnin on the 75G?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes

[@KeepingItFishy]

Oh I was recommended 2 sunsun 304b for my 75gallon. Do U think runnin 2 canisters is more expensive electricity wise than one fluval?

[@MASSAquariums]

Probably.

[@nige99]

your bacteria dies when exposed to air you should keep em in a another bucket whilst cleaning your sponges ect

[@MASSAquariums]

True

[@darrennew4499]

dam bro. your filters dirtier after cleaning than mine is before lol. and I clean my sponges good as you don't want beneficial bacteria in what is only mechanical filter sponge.this in turn encourages necessary bacteria to grow on bio media and you don't lose anything beneficial if you have to replace sponges at any point as they can deteriorate over time and giving your media a a gentle rinse is better for bacteria ..but as you say each to their own.

[@tidalfluxofficial]

yay fluval 406 i love mine i got 2 of them(:

[@tidalfluxofficial]

i leave my media tho and totally clean my sponges, allows for my colony in my media to grow more and take the place of what was in the sponges and get rid of all that decaying plant matter and poo in the sponges. never had a cycling problem. but i might try your way next month.

[@yehoshuacirt8645]

Keep on rinsing well like you do. It certainly doesn't hurt, as you've seen.

[@PuffingTheHerbs]

Interested to know what you think of the pondgurus directions. I notice you only use the sponge that comes with it, pondguru recommends coarse, medium & fine sponge on bottom tray. Also I see you use the bio rings and not his biohome ultimate media (which is crazy expensive). What your doing seems to work great for you and even just using that on sponge your tank stays crystal clear? Whats your thoughts on the biohome media from pond guru? Is it really worth spending all that money on it or is the cheaper bio rings just as good? (I personally think the biohome media is just popular because his videos are)

[@MASSAquariums]

+Aqua Master I think it's a little better and I do use it in my 40 breeder Planted. The more surface area the better but rings will also be just fine.

[@bryancharman2390]

I've used the fluval rings and seachem matrix. I've never got a decent control of nitrates by using either of them over the years. They're great for quickly building up the aerobic bacteria which consume the ammonia and nitrites, but I found that they never reduced the nitrate levels sufficiently if at all. I think this is likely because they're not great for housing the anaerobic bacteria which are needed to convert nitrates. Since using the biohome for the past year I'll never use another bio media. It really has worked for me and was worth the investment. 1kg for every 100litre seems to work well for tropical setups

[@victoro.8622]

What media are you using in it? Just got a 406 and it came with carbon in two of the trays, I'm thinking just one is enough, what do you think?

[@MASSAquariums]

I use all media and sponges with CHEMIPURE Green

[@Micarmn]

This filter or the cascade 1200. Boom!

[@MASSAquariums]

🐟👍🏻

[@Micarmn]

Is this filter still holding up? I’m planning on picking one up but not sure if I should get the fluval or cascade

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep. Best filter

[@Micarmn]

MASS Aquariums 🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠🐠thanks!!!!

[@Micarmn]

Is it better than the fx4?

[@Lxgendz]

no carbon? was that all bio max?

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes. I don't run carbon in my planted tanks

[@spian]

Beneficial bacteria fa days

[@MASSAquariums]

+spian yeah🐟👊🏼

[@bobsaget9675]

My top doesn't come off that easily at all!!!

[@MASSAquariums]

Sometimes they get stuck

[@emily192830]

Open the top tabs and then push down, it will push the top off.

[@PhilMargolies]

@@emily192830 True. A lot of people miss that you use the tabs as levers to remove the top. 😉

[@JSpalding]

Easy

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep

[@73Mooner]

For a 406 work for a 55 gallon

[@MASSAquariums]

For sure

[@gmoorach]

I agree. Though probably overkill for a standard community tank. But, if it's over-stocked or you keep larger fish, like goldfish, I'd recommend the 406 for a 55 gallon. As a matter of fact I have a 55-gall with 3 goldfish. I run a 406.

[@dgc7321]

..."don't go too crazy".

[@MASSAquariums]

Okie Dokie

[@r.powell2351]

WOW! That’s a HUGE pain in the ass compared to a HOB filter.

[@MASSAquariums]

Can be yes. I love HOB’s

[@shadowfire246]

Once I saw that you wouldn't rinse your bio media I'm like nope hasn't watched pondguru lol

[@MASSAquariums]

+Jacob Adams I've watched him for years. I generally rinse it in tank water every other clean

[@63gangsterdisciple]

My method is buy all new replacements this is nasty

[@MASSAquariums]

It’s not bad

[@PhilMargolies]

This is where sterile is not the best, since the bacteria need to stay alive in order to remove the ammonia and nitrites from your aquarium.

[@gmoorach]

You really should rinse the bio-media. You can't rinse off the bacteria in any significant way by swishing a basket in tank water. Any viable bacteria is attached to the surfaces of the media, as you know. It's stuck there. If it weren't the water flowing through the canister would remove it. Get the detritus off of the media for optimal water contact with the media/bacteria.

[@MASSAquariums]

Yes exactly. I just rinse the detritus off the rings with tank water

[@kodrabr12]

Holy fuck thats gross

[@MASSAquariums]

Almost 2 months with dirted planted tank

[@kodrabr12]

Neat lol i am changing mines water tomorrow also i cant wait for my new tank to come lol

[@acresofgrace9020]

Do I put the water from the black tower back in it after I rinse the tower?

[@MASSAquariums]

No. Get rid of all the water.