How to Properly Clean a Sponge Filter (Detailed Version)

[@DoAqua]

Started using my dirty water on my house plants a while back and they are booming with life

[@carlosrosado7939]

Me too!

[@hazeo.9675]

Agree plants love aquarium water with all the fish poop 😆

[@carebear032007]

I can't wait to do this, just to see how my ivy grows.. she's been growing pretty nicely, but can you imagine? I will be cutting off shoots, in no time!

[@brianjones3584]

Me as well! Incredible huh?

[@jifinjosechiramal]

Alrightttt I'm gonna try it. It crossed my mind but never did it until today. Thanks for the tip 😀

[@ONEFUNFONE]

I've been cleaning sponges for 35 years now, never seen the bag trick. Think I'll be adjusting my methods especially after I get the new room built. Great video Cory!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Don't you love it when we can learn the new trick 😂🤗🙏👍💪🌿🐟🌿

[@showtime0942]

Do i need to still do water changes if I have a sponge filter or do I just add water?

[@realchiknuggets]

@@showtime0942 lol yes you still need to change the water, maybe much less often if you have a seasoned aquarium that more-or-less sustains itself, same rules as always

[@smesh344]

Just started a new tank and came up with this idea using a shopping bag, now I see this pro using my idea. It was common sense!

[@no-knickers-emma1112]

@@marypaigeflynn4512 I squeeze my sponge out once every two weeks. No need for bags as I don't let my sponge clog up.

[@thathobbitlife]

Can I just applaud Cory and the Aquarium co-op team for ALWAYS being ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS & making efforts to reduce footprints and I LOVE IT!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🐌🐚🐸🐠🐟🍃🍀☘🌿🌱🌳

[@CatFish107]

Truth right here. It's an approach that makes financial/economic sense as well, maximizing the utility of the resources one uses.

[@frankmorenojr6147]

On every water change I always add the dirty water to my plants. IT WORKS.

[@Yonatan24]

I do the same. But I need to buy seachem stress guard because my guppies are very stressed, so I wonder if it's safe for plants that I eat.

[@petergeanacopulos5327]

I pour my water into our garden and dead spots of grass.

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

It's precious, I started a pond more or less to have fishing minnows handy at 4 am and goldfish poop for my garden, and now look at me lol.

[@Tobias611]

Same, have used my aquarium water in the garden for the last 2 years, watered my cocktail tomatoes with it last year and I could harvest a literal bowl full each day for 1 month straight off 2 plants, the plants absolutely love the nitrates and iron, plus you don't waste that water by sending it back to the treatment plant...

[@frankmorenojr6147]

@@Tobias611 👏👏👏👍YEP

[@amandajones9917]

I recently bought course sponge filters, bubble stones, hose and valves from you. I had 10 tanks of fish with HOB filters. The first few nights after I started using sponge filters I couldn't sleep. They were so quiet that I kept checking to see if they were still running. I love these filters.

[@planetestargate719]

Lequel ?

[@aseriouslollygagger5734]

I used to have sad houseplants before I started Fishkeeping. Now I give my houseplants the sponge filter water and they are beautiful. The rest goes in the garden.

[@seapel133]

I like that you guys made an updated version of this video! You’re videos are always so entertaining and educational, thank you for all you do for the hobby!

[@logophilelyss4390]

Thank you, Cory! I'm always looking for ways to behave more environmentally friendly, and this is actually huge over time! I had to breakdown my tank a few years ago because of a home temperature catastrophe and never got the chance to reassemble it, but I'm looking forward to the day I can build my dream tank.

[@introtwerp]

What was the temperature isssue

[@seanmorton9230]

Oh my goodness, this is the update to the old video I needed. I've just been avoiding cleaning my sponge filters at this point. Well made, Cory

[@jimmyreese4740]

I absolutely love the Aquarium Co-Op sponge filters thanks Cory and the whole Co-Op team for teaching us so much and providing us with great products!!!

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

They really are the best sponge filters around and I've used just about everyone you can think of!! They will be in all of my aquariums! 🙏💚🌿🐟🌿💪👍

[@hapnin166]

The best and at a reasonable price, in fact it’s penny’s to the quid and the Illuminati is crying lol.

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

@@mdcclxxviepluribusunum1066 I'm pretty sure I watched a video where Cory was quite honest about having found a good sponge filter, but it would be better if the base was heavier and the sponge was more coarse. Maybe it was before the video that was released when he went to China to find/meet with affordable manufacturers to work with? I haven't seen a single video where he claims to have fully designed from scratch. Have you seen something I missed? I don't want to give inaccurate information.

[@ianrawlings2546]

Cory strikes again. Love your accumulated knowledge. Thanks so much for sharing it. You really put us average fish keepers years ahead.

[@Nojah710]

For so long I thought my sponge wasn’t working because it was never clogged... good to see the sponges in action! I think I should go a little longer in between cleanings instead of every week ☺️ thanks Cory!

[@allisonwendell9942]

This was very helpful. I clean my bio filter with treated water that is leftover in my 1 gallon water bottle from any recent tank cleaning. When I refill the tank there's always some water left in the bottle and I use that to rinse off and clean my sponge.

[@DTUBE11]

"E-FISH-ency is key." - Cory McElory 2021

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

😆👍💪

[@ritapita519]

Thanks for updating this video! I’m so happy to not only enjoy your great products, but have reference videos like this to make sure they are being used/maintained properly. I feel like a large percentage of dissatisfaction when it comes to newly purchased products is the user not quite using the products properly. Bravo

[@one4all885]

You are the best teacher. I learned how to clean tanks with a siphon from your video, and I learned I will be buying new sponge filters instead of cleaning them. Please take care of your health so we can see more of your great videos.

[@aje8790]

2 videos in one week and a ton of stuff from the second channel. Inconceivable!

[@jimmygimbal]

I know right. We’re going all in baby

[@joehanney3495]

You're right, that dirty water is a great for plants. My favourite rose was half as good as usual last year, the only difference was a year without dirty filter water. Prior to that it had regular filter gunk. :-)

[@farmfishandfreedom2933]

Fantastic advice. As always. Your education is priceless

[@jlynnhi8139]

For my HOB prefilters I purchased from Aquarium Co-Op, I used a ‘big gulp’ sized cup with a long handled cleaning tool to maneuver into position, push the sponge off the pipe into the cup and pull the cup out, kept my arms out of my tall tank.

[@aquapuncture]

Useful to see how other people do the sponge cleaning. Those goldfish @1:03 look beautiful, by the way; gorgeous sheen! ✨

[@wheelbite9]

It was nice to see the two methods together.

[@Willekat808]

Someone suggested I watch this video. Well done. I am going to clean my sponge filters this way now using the plastic bag. I always use a bucket and clean mine under the tap, but my water runs into the bucket and onto my plants, but I learned the trick about the plastic bag. Never thought of that. Thanks for that info

[@kimheartsuds]

Aquarium Co Op, you guys have amazing content! I've learned so so much about fish keeping from your channel!

[@dennychan1049]

Really detailed and I used both methods before when I was younger..my dad told me to use it the method you use with the water for the plants and now I tell my son to do thr same thing...lol

[@KeniaJohannes]

Gosh. This KZbin channel is pure GOLD! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@DancingHorseFarm1]

That lovely brown water is awesome for watering plants! My plants are very happy and I never pour it down the drain.

[@AquariumCoop]

Yeah, I addressed it already that day with another video we filmed. Just didn't make the cut on this one.

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

After a family emergency out of town left my aquaria suddenly under another's stewardship (and the inevitable loss, an old guppy I was very fond of, one of my first fry), getting back to basics with Cory is helping me get back in the groove, when I am tired and just not feeling it. Thank you for helping me feel it again and get back in the zone.

[@AdrienneEverheart]

I don’t have a large aquarium can I use tap Water to clean my sponge?

[@mathewdee1632]

I always clean my sponge filter under the tap , when I’m done I just leave it sit in a bucket of old water for an hour , maybe put a drop of de chlorinator or two safe in … never did any harm to any of my fish I’ve had over 3 years

[@mathewdee1632]

Old water I mean just take a little from your tank

[@meiyuan2134]

love this video cory, i hope you're taking care of your health. your weight has changed a lot and i hope you're here around for a long time.

[@OceanTruth]

That is just brilliant! It's amazing how some of the best ideas are so simple, yet I never think of it. Lol.

[@ShinyDelibird]

I run sponge filters in every tank I can, love ‘em!

[@landgiraffe7002]

I have almost all sponge filters and never thought of doing it this way! Thanks and I’ll surely be doing it this way from now on.😎

[@Spicy__fm]

I have a small 8 gallon tank with drift wood in it so its super hard for me to get a bag in there. Do you have any advice for a smaller scape? Thanks

[@myrainbow2u]

Had me at water saving and recycling!!!! I’m now a forever follower!!! And will buy from your site from now on!

[@TXNLaurenMcN]

I can't count the times I've watched this video and I always forget things that come next. This time I made notes, stopping after every step to write all the details down. Easy peasy this time, but I won't tell you how many times I looked over my notes. I know my little fish is happier. (Single betta in a 10 gallon tank.) Thank you so much for your videos. I've learned so much from you!

[@thefishwitch2137]

Making even the mundane of fishkeeping fun... You are becoming quite the guru

[@phillipbruni2434]

When I first saw this, thought; “oh great, more work!!!” with some colorful words, but after watching this a few times, Cory is right, and this works😀 Thanks Cory and Co Op; I’ll use the water for my outside plants when we’re not in the middle of winter 🥶

[@rebeccahenke5681]

Thank you for sharing water saving and environmental impact tips.

[@voluntaryismistheanswer]

He's just an all round awesome human.

[@samiam159007]

As a gardener I really liked this video! Great tips!

[@chrismgd01]

Great update to the first video. Love how you showed the right way and what happens when you do the other way. Also the piece and how to use everything over again right down to the waste water to benefit the environment

[@nataliebarroga6682]

Great tips! My trouble is that my tank lid opening is a tiny bit smaller than my sponge, so I’d always end up actually squeezing a little to get it out (you can imagine how well that went 🙄) but the bag would solve that problem! Thanks for the practical tips that can benefit all sponge filter users and hopefully help everyone be more efficient with our resources!

[@lolavanenburg1647]

That’s what I do Cory, my garden plants, apple and pear trees are in abundance come summertime…thanks for that great tip.. best wishes from Liverpool 🇬🇧

[@dprofessor3238]

I use a icing bucket instead of a bag..lasts longer and really useful. Good vid

[@RitaArthurPug]

Thank you for the video! It was very helpful! I decided to try a sponge filter for my 75 gallon Goldfish tank.

[@mikeswain1945]

Thanks for the video Cory, one of the basic thing that really helps. One thing that confuses my with internet "sponge cleaning" videos is how some fishkeepers use declorinated water to clean their filters and other say that is a big NO NO.

[@javonr7794]

Another great video from aquarium coop!! I have learned so much from Cory and the team!!

[@mitchpaul3904]

Great video! The bag method makes so much sense. Thanks for always working to help the hobby and also thinking of the environment!

[@stephanieguyot]

I love the focus on conservation. These are the steps to making the world better for our children. And it’s a good way to clean a sponge filter😀

[@jdoraz86]

Today I learned... I always thought the bacteria would harm plants (I don’t know why) I will be moving to this recycled water for watering plants method now 💯... love the videos, I’m rather new to the hobby and the information and tips you have provided are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@Pupsadoodles]

This is super helpful. When it comes to filters in a hang on filter system should I be taking the same approach?

[@jenniehuston5021]

Bag technique works great! My big question (that no one in my fish groups can agree on) is still when to clean my sponge filter? Do I wait until I see debris in the sponge or do I clean on a schedule?

[@Loveofpets]

Excellent advice. Thanks 😊

[@elizabethnunn-gage226]

Thank you so much for fully explaining how these work, how they are supposed to work and how to correctly add an air stone! I ordered one ones from y'all and can't wait to get it all fixed right!

[@anthonyeskins791]

OK so pretty much as soon as I watched this video, I did all my tanks, all have Sponge filters. This saved me a bunch of mess and hassle, I also modified them to house an air stone mine were the type that has the pipe right thru the centre carrying air down the sponge I carefully removed them so it left space for an airstone and a tiny piece of pipe as shown in the video, prior to this my sponge filters were working a little poor, some ran slow some had big bubbles as he mentioned which made noise and did very little for the momentum of filtration, well after installing the air stones inside they perform Amazing! I mean amazing!! Nice and quiet, fine bubbles but lots of them, can now see bits and particles sucking toward the filter whereas before they really didn't. Brilliant video this I am next going to switch out my super fine filters and try the More course filters you use as every tip you've given me has worked a charm man. Thanks for taking the time from your busy day to share your wisdom with us and dude I love your fish room and your buddies who you tend to go to and Vlog I could watch them tanks aaaaall day man. Keep up the good work and I wish you great things man thanks again from England 🇬🇧 👍

[@justinewaison7894]

Wanna get some of those sponges myself. Really enjoy Sunday videos!

[@EirikrThorvaldsson]

I use a cup. Works well for me. Great video. Thanks

[@hannahclevenger3124]

I just tried this last night and my tank didn't look a mess right after a cleaning!

[@jessebelle6596]

Love it! Thank you for the help! You have been such a huge part of my fish keeping journey! ❤️

[@mikieisgreat1]

This is the best cleaning video I have seen... thank you for the great tips. Top work chap

[@aishaasya7438]

Thank you so much

[@comment.highlighted]

Yes, the bag trick is a great idea. Thank you 🙂

[@carnogas]

Always honest info from experience, never putting on a front. Love your videos!

[@RussMcCord]

Thank you Cory for presenting a more efficient way to clean a sponge filter. Very informative video.

[@rosemarydudley9954]

I use a bottle brush to clean the tube. Works well for me. Also, next time I will use the bag idea. Great idea, thank you.

[@billgorsey8010]

setting up 300 gallons made up of 4 tanks right now...i always take off the enitre hob and bring it to the wash area so no drips... been binge watching... glad i found this so early, 7am in alaska!

[@MacHamish]

I'm glad you mentioned using the old water for the plants. 🙂👍

[@catfishcave379]

I’ve been doing mine at the sink or in the yard with a hose for 30 years... but I don’t heavily stock my tanks and I only do it that way on mature tanks. I also use a very small plastic bucket vs a bag. All my water change water goes into the yard.

[@mrwhite8678]

Awesome! I just converted all my tanks from hang on back to sponge filters and wondered this exact thing. Cory read my mind.

[@DixieGirl9876]

I will do the bag tip, thanks Cory you're the best! I do re-use the water for my plants.

[@denzilandrews965]

Thanks Cory. I will surely try this technique.

[@bighillhill]

I have the exact same filter, I bought it from AQ CO-OP I use a plastic quart container that Chinese soup comes in to get it out. The filter fits perfectly. And I rinse the sponge in my bucket of dirty water that I just vacuumed. A lot easier then using a bag over and over.

[@fawnszueber2005]

Thank you for the information! Always love seeing your thought process in action!

[@DavidHHH99]

Thanks, Corey! I'm going to start using the bag method on my prefilter sponges.

[@LegallyChocolate]

Always a helpful video! The first video about cleaning sponges was great too. The bag trick is a lifesaver

[@sunnyfire46]

I did not expect the water to be that dirty. Awesome video, I've been doing it wrong!

[@conniepeterson3004]

Great video tutorial update Cory! I have your sponges in all my tanks. I do love them but that darn cap is so hard to get off sometimes.

[@cleveraquariums210]

Thanks Cory, you're the best.

[@fbasantajr]

Cory, nice follow up to the original video, thank you

[@529tmarie]

why didn't I see this 5 years ago! Love the bag as the sponge always dumped gak as I pulled it out of the tank.

[@readinow1163]

Great teaching video!!! I totally agree with this, especially the water conservation!!! Been doing this since 1978!!! Thanks for your contribution to the fish society!!! 🐟 😊 🪸🤙

[@cichlidmama4191]

Thank you!! I use all my aquarium water fory orange and guava tree!!! I'm so happy you said that!!

[@rebeccapecoraro7094]

Love this video! I have been watering my garden each week with my water changes and my plants love it!

[@sandypar00]

AWESOME VIDEO! I never thought of using the recycled aquarium water to start up a new tank. And I definitely didn't think to use it for watering plants.

[@mentalistsa]

Right on Cory. I too use fish water for tons of plants. Got to try the zip lock bag!

[@whateverwhenever_9987]

Awesome informative video Cory. I rinse all my sponge filters and all my filter media this way! I did do this with ziplock bags then I would get holes like you said and i would get wet. I did buy fish bags. It's all good now!!

[@miakoenig4152]

Wow! watching this just now makes me feel like I need to clean all my aquarium co op course filters! I think I will right now :)

[@nikhilgeorge2919]

I’ll have to try it this way because I used to just pull the filter out and make a mess thanks for the info

[@Rainydayzjmb]

Been doing tons of research as I’m about to start my Stendker Discus adventure - your channel has been one of the most helpful for me- I worked at a pet shop for years and never fully understood biological filtration and Ive learned sooo much after watching your videos and feel I have a much greater understanding ! I decided to place an order and I was double excited and surprised to see you are based out of my home state WA ! Thanks so much!!! 💝🤗 🐠

[@robstar109]

Solid info, and now I need a tank full of yellow labs.

[@lisajligon]

I think those are his pseudotropheus saulosi but I could be mistaken. Either way I agree this is a dream tank for me.

[@AquariumCoop]

They are yellow labs. Saulosi were in that tank previously

[@DavidHands]

Thanks for the great videos. I turn my garden hose on and jet it into the top of the filter sponge in my hand, as I repeatedly squeeze and release it, allowing all the fishy poop goodness to pour down over my pot plants. It is the only fertilizer I ever use. My local aquarium guy says I should never do it, but I am a rebel.

[@callmedd3494]

Such a great tip using the zip-loc bag. Never thought of that.

[@AquariumCoop]

*🔔 Don't forget to subscribe for more awesome fish keeping videos: **kzbin.info*

[@josephhenry9924]

You learn a lot from this Channel.

[@funman3604]

I’m a huge fan you inspired me to start my own channel keep up the good work

[@thethebananaweasel]

Well spoken and super useful! Thanks!

[@bharvey2010]

Cant say thank you enough for all the great info! You really have changed the way I approach my aquariums for the better!

[@KorasiPKed]

perfect timing. im about to set up a 20 gallon tall tank on my recently built fish rack and im planning on using a sponge filter for the first time ever! cant wait thank you! just gotta figure out if i wanna do guppies/shrimp or what in it. also setting up a 20 long for shelldwellers

[@solusvoid4283]

Larger guppies will eat shrimp, so if you want both, get Endlers or a small strain of guppy so you can have both gups & shrimp without casualties

[@maryjanebaker4607]

I really like your showing the proper way clean your Aquarium and I also watched the cleaning of sponge filter and reusing the dirty. My question is how many filters should be use in 29 gal. tank. also when clean sponge filter do you still need do the gravel . I am sure you do need to just want make sure .

[@prashanthpradhan]

Really helpful tips and also great way of recycling that water. Thanks again Cory.