Betta tank filter maintenance

[luna4]

How often do you guys clean your betta tank filters? I've got a sponge filter in a 5 gallon, and it's been running for about a month. Not sure if I should rinse it yet or wait longer.

[fishdish]

I usually rinse mine every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on your tank's bio load. If you've got a lot of plants or just one fish, you can probably stretch it. Just use tank water, not tap, to keep the good bacteria.

[estra]

I usually rinse mine every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on your tank's bio load. If you've got a lot of plants or just one fish, you can probably stretch it. Just use tank water, not tap, to keep the good bacteria.

Exactly this. Also, if your water's cloudy or the flow slows down, that's a sign it's time. What kind of sponge filter are you using?

[roadside]

I've got the same setup, 5 gallon with a sponge. I rinse mine every 3 weeks 'cause my guy's a messy eater. Just squeeze it in a bucket of tank water during water changes. Easy peasy.

[luna4]

Thanks for the tips! I'll check the flow and maybe rinse it next water change. It's a basic double sponge filter, nothing fancy.

[fishdish]

Double sponge's great, gives more surface area for bacteria. Just don't overclean it, or you'll crash your cycle. Learned that the hard way last year, ha.

[estra]

Yeah, crashing the cycle's a nightmare. I test my water weekly just to be safe. Ammonia spikes are no joke with bettas.

[roadside]

Yeah, crashing the cycle's a nightmare. I test my water weekly just to be safe. Ammonia spikes are no joke with bettas.

For real. My first betta got fin rot from a mini cycle. Now I'm paranoid and test every few days.

[fishdish]

Same here, man. Better safe than sorry. Also, if you're rinsing the sponge, give it a gentle squeeze, don't scrub. Those bacteria colonies are delicate little things.