- 1). Open the canister filter; this operation will vary based on the brand of filter, so consult the manufacturer's instructions. You should immediately notice a buildup of residue and dirt; remove this buildup with a washcloth and hot water.
- 2). Pull out the mechanical media. If you have mechanical filtration, cleaning the mechanical media first is a good idea. Your filter user guide will offer diagrams detailing what the mechanical filtration looks like. This won't be a pleasant process, but try to clean it carefully using the water in the tank. To do this, pour some water from the tank into a bucket, then swish the media in the water to clear surface dirt and gently wring any sponges free of more stubborn dirt. Do this until the sponge appears as clean as possible.
- 3). Set the mechanical media aside on a towel to dry.
- 4). Rinse out any and all tubes with hot water and lay them out to dry on a towel as well.
- 5). Clean your propeller. A dirty propeller will just pump old dirt back into your healthy tank water. Cleaning the propeller ensures that old water and impurities keep moving out. The propeller may require gentle but intricate care so avoid using a washcloth. To properly clean the propeller, use a toothbrush to gently brush away dirt, grime and residual tank filth. Rinse the propeller with tank water upon finishing.
- 6). Allow your filter components to dry and then reassemble them as directed in the manufacturer's instructions. Once dry the filter canister will be ready to start working again.
- 7). Fill your newly cleaned filter with water and start it back up.
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