Other Turtle Discussion :: How to clean my turtle canister filter.

[riss_rad2011]

I just was wondering how to clean my ZooMed Turtle Clean Canister filter 511...I got it about 2 months ago and there is lots of icky stuff in the tubes going in and out of the tank. How do I get all of that out or should I go to Home Depot and get new tubing?

[VeipaCray]

Save your money on the tubing as you'll need a much bigger/better filter soon. The zoomed 511 is horribly inadequate for any turtle environment.

As for cleaning, the icky stuff is a combination of algae, nitrifying bacteria (good), and filter gunk that the 511 was unable to trap. The tubes can be rinsed in warm/hot water to help loosen the crud. For very stubborn gunk, a soak in white vinegar will help loosen it. Just be sure to rinse the tubes in clean water after the vinegar before using them again.

[MEandYouPhoto]

The Zoomed 511 is just a fraction higher than the garbage Zoomed 501. The hoses can be rinsed out and if you have a wire hanger and some paper towels it works well for cleaning out the tubes. Just don't overstuff it with paper towel. A piece about the size of a quarter, then rolled up can be pushed through with a wire hanger. or you can go to Petsmart or Petco and get a flexible hose cleaning tool that will also work.

VeipaCray is right though. Save up your pennies and get a nice canister filter for your tank. If you are going to continue to use what you have. You should expect to clean it every weekend and to change the carbon once a month.