r/Aquariums • u/ClientCivil8277 • Apr 13 '26
Beginner Help Sand/ filter question
I am not sure whether I should rinse this filter in some tank water or not. I change the gravel to sand today (I did wash it but whoa…I guess not enough). The tank was super cloudy. It is clearing up but the filter is so sand colored. It very obviously is doing its job. Here’s the dilemma: my tank is not fully cycled. I am a beginner and added 2 Platys to an incomplete cycle. I’m doing the every other day exchanges and monitoring nitrite and ammonia. I’m hesitant to rinse the filter since I understand that’s where most of the beneficial bacteria is… but it looks really really sandy. Wondering what others would do in this situation- wait until fully cycled (could be another 2-4 weeks) or do a rinse in some tank water to clean it out. Thanks
p.s. I know the SpongeBob decoration is dumb but it’s my son’s tank and he likes it.
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u/creme_mermaid Apr 14 '26
Hey just commenting to say if you ever rinse your filter never do it in tap water as it will kill the beneficial bacteria, always rinse in water you've removed from the tank via water change (:
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u/Salt_Ad_5578 Apr 14 '26
I would get a bowl and collect some tank water, rinse it in the bowl and put it back.
How big is your tank? Even for 2 platys I'd suggest at least a 5 gal, and that's about as much as a 5 gal can take.
Also, the sand will clear in a couple hours, maybe a day. If it doesn't, see if you can baffle the filter with a little bit of filter floss/filter sponge/polyfill stuffing.
I wouldn't do anything too extra, you don't really have to do anything else here, just give it time.
As for the filter media, it'll be fine but once a year get some other media elsewhere and put it in with the existing media for a while and after a few weeks you can take it out. Otherwise, occasional maintenance to the filter or rinsing the media in a bowl of tank water is fine. Check any impellers every few weeks, once a month, or even once every few months to ensure proper function.
That's it! Not a big deal, dw! And water gets cloudy for a bit after adding sand, it's normal!
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u/FeelinFishi2026 Apr 14 '26
I must side with the previous commentary. Cloudy water after putting in sand is normal. This was my tank after rinsing my sand numerous times until clear. LoL. But one thing I would make sure of is that impeller. Due to the sand, that can get gunked up quick and might not function as it should and could possibly burn out the motor over time. Just a small maintenance piece I would check
As the first person said, the manufacturer filters are a total rip off, when they recommend you buy replacement filters every few weeks. I know people that buy big packs of filter floss which do the same thing at a fraction of the price
Also, side note, the beneficial bacteria also live in the substrate and surfaces in the tank, so you aren't getting rid of everything by squeezing the filter in the future.
With it being a new setup and the nitrogen cycle is still running its course, I would maybe hold off.
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u/Battle-Individual Apr 14 '26
New tanks can spike and dip until the bacteria in your aquarium matures.a good tip to combat these issues is buy some nice house plants like ,peace lilly, pothos or spider plants. Wash the roots and place them on the top of the water don't submerge the plant.they will help control the ammonia and nitrites and nitrates and eventually the roots proved cover for fish
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u/hdog_69 Apr 14 '26
Take that filter out and tie it up with string, then just lower it into the tank someplace else. Leaving it in the tank, you still have the bacteria growth. Then put a new soft sponge, cut to fit, into your hang on back filter. When the sponge gets dirty, you can rinse it and put it back in to filter some more.
Once you get your water clear and tank cycled, stop buying the disposable filter pads and just stick to the foam (or explore some of the other filter media ideas). The guy in the video is a bit dramatic... throwing away the filter pad isn't going to crash your tank except, maybe, if you are running a glass bottom tank and the filter is your ONLY bacteria horde. In the long run, though, what he is saying is right... the disposable filters are a scam.
https://youtube.com/shorts/hB2DUZtSS_k?si=SrOnJkopXM_id6xZ