*****~~~ EXPERTS: SaLtWaTeR??~~~*****?

[omg]

Will completely cleaning my media ( 2filters, 3builtin filter powerheads) affect my fish? Won't i be getiing rid of beneficial bacteria??? How do you clean your filter??? or Sump????

[TinaD]

I am not 100% positive but I believe that cleaning the pumps and filters is fine. I never had a problem. There is also that beneficial bacteria in the rocks at the bottom of the tank.

[MARINE]

It won't...

[copperhead]

You're correct, that it may affect your fish, since the filter media (pads, bioballs, etc.) will all have beneficial bacteria growing on them. But remember your substrate, and rock in your tank (live or not) will become colonized with bacteria over time) if you use it. So you have other sources of bacteria to remove ammonia and nitrites.The powerheads won't be a significant source of bacteria, unless you use a filtering attachment with them.The trick to the cleaning so there will be minimal effects is to alternate which equipment is cleaned with each water change. And if you have filters with pads, get a separate container with some tank water or fresh dechlorinated saltwater and use this to rinse your pads - shake them around in the water and squeeze them a few times to get rid of any buildup, the bacteria attach to the pads and some will remain - but don't rinse under the tap or the chlorine/chloramine will kill the bacteria. You can also use this method and a soft brush to clean junk out of the bioballs if you have them in a trickle filter.