cleaning filters

[Simkat]

we are completely new at this and are starting up a marine reef tank. I am currently reading up about cleaning the filters. The instructions say use aquarium water to preserve the bacteria. Is this the water out of my own tank or just saline? If it's my tank water do I then put it back into the tank, this seems odd?

Thank you please excuse us but we are new to this and it is a steep learning curve although a very exciting one.

Katrina

[Hop]

What filters? If you have live rock and a good skimmer, the instructions are rather pointless

There are many filters available in the hobby and some work and some don't. Most are rather insignificant in relation to biological filtration if you have the rock to support the bio-load. I generally don't recommend canister-type filters on a marine tank due to the maintenance required in relation to their actual benefit on the system. The money is better spent on a quality-oversized skimmer and porous live rock.

[fihsboy]

What type of system are you running? Fish only? Fish only with live rock? if you have live rock in your tank, you will have enough filtration like hop said. Brisk circulation and a great skimmer is all you really need for a saltwater tank with live rock. Now...that being said, You CAN run extra filtration, buts its not necessarily needed. I run a filter sock......just to catch the big stuff. but I also have a sump. I clean my filter sock with bleach.....but I have a LOT of live rock to sustain bacteria.

[fchidsey]

welcome to TRT this is a great place to learn there is a lot of knowlegde here. use the search tab at the top it works great solve some basic problems. as for you filter cleaning provide mmore information on your system.

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! As they said,since you have a reef the filter is your rocks and skimmer.