How to Clean a Filter Cartridge

[Freenow54]

I was wondering if anyone has a method to clean a dirty Cartridge Filter ( 5 Micron ) that they use and find it works. A little hesitant about Chemicals but will try if someone has done it . Seems like a touchy thing .

 

[EnterName]

Are you talking about RO/DI system filter cartridges?

Depending on where they are placed they will collect sediment (possibly sand/dirt that is silicon based like quartz), or dust from activated charcoal (carbon). You don't want to deal with substances that can actually dissolve these things to flush them out (they would dissolve the filter material itself).

Backflushing can only do so much and other methods like pressure washing, or compressed air would carve channels into the material which would render them useless.

You could get rid of some organic matter with chemicals but getting rid of the chemicals afterwards will be painful. It's not worth the effort and just buying a new 5micron filter is far cheaper, and safer.

 

[Freenow54]

Are you talking about RO/DI system filter cartridges?

Depending on where they are placed they will collect sediment (possibly sand/dirt that is silicon based like quartz), or dust from activated charcoal (carbon). You don't want to deal with substances that can actually dissolve these things to flush them out (they would dissolve the filter material itself).

Backflushing can only do so much and other methods like pressure washing, or compressed air would carve channels into the material which would render them useless.

You could get rid of some organic matter with chemicals but getting rid of the chemicals afterwards will be painful. It's not worth the effort and just buying a new 5micron filter is far cheaper, and safer.

That's what I have been doing its in a Marineland water clarifier. I am careful to clean Aquarium glass before changing the filter which are about $10 each , and meat for the product. It gets noisy and I pull it out rinsing and using a paint brush . The noise stops for about3 days , and I assume I am making the internal motor work harder than it should. I used to get a month out of one but now for some reason about 2 weeks . Its irritating

 

[EnterName]

Are you talking about RO/DI system filter cartridges?

Depending on where they are placed they will collect sediment (possibly sand/dirt that is silicon based like quartz), or dust from activated charcoal (carbon). You don't want to deal with substances that can actually dissolve these things to flush them out (they would dissolve the filter material itself).

Backflushing can only do so much and other methods like pressure washing, or compressed air would carve channels into the material which would render them useless.

You could get rid of some organic matter with chemicals but getting rid of the chemicals afterwards will be painful. It's not worth the effort and just buying a new 5micron filter is far cheaper, and safer.

That's what I have been doing its in a Marineland water clarifier. I am careful to clean Aquarium glass before changing the filter which are about $10 each , and meat for the product. It gets noisy and I pull it out rinsing and using a paint brush . The noise stops for about3 days , and I assume I am making the internal motor work harder than it should. I used to get a month out of one but now for some reason about 2 weeks . Its irritating

I'm not familiar with the Marineland products but it looks like these are filters that operate within the aquarium. If there is a lot of microalgae growth, they will clog quite fast. Pre-filters would help, but won't fully get rid of the issue.

Maybe switching to filter socks is the cheapest solution. They can be rinsed/washed easily and will get the job done. Many people use roller mats as well as they don't have this issue.

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I was wondering if anyone has a method to clean a dirty Cartridge Filter ( 5 Micron ) that they use and find it works. A little hesitant about Chemicals but will try if someone has done it . Seems like a touchy thing .

I think you are talking about these.
https://www.marineandreef.com/Marineland_Magnum_200_Rite_Size_Polishing_Filter_p/rml78399.htmIf this is the case you can really only clean them with bleach.

I normally have 2 and rotate them. I remove the dirty cartridge and then spray off the dirty one and then soak it in bleach water overnight. The next morning I remove the cartridge rinse and submerge it in tap water, and then remove the chlorine by adding some dechlorinator to the water the cartridge is submerged in. I use Prime as my dechlorinator of choice but you can use whatever you like.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Seachem_Prime_500_ml_with_50_ml_Measuring_Cup_p/rsc04330c.htm

 

[Freenow54]

I'm not familiar with the Marineland products but it looks like these are filters that operate within the aquarium. If there is a lot of microalgae growth, they will clog quite fast. Pre-filters would help, but won't fully get rid of the issue.

Maybe switching to filter socks is the cheapest solution. They can be rinsed/washed easily and will get the job done. Many people use roller mats as well as they don't have this issue.

I think you are talking about these.
https://www.marineandreef.com/Marineland_Magnum_200_Rite_Size_Polishing_Filter_p/rml78399.htmIf this is the case you can really only clean them with bleach.

I normally have 2 and rotate them. I remove the dirty cartridge and then spray off the dirty one and then soak it in bleach water overnight. The next morning I remove the cartridge rinse and submerge it in tap water, and then remove the chlorine by adding some dechlorinator to the water the cartridge is submerged in. I use Prime as my dechlorinator of choice but you can use whatever you like.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Seachem_Prime_500_ml_with_50_ml_Measuring_Cup_p/rsc04330c.htm

I really cant tell for sure but its the same idea. I did not think about using a dechlorinator duh. The other issue is the bleach to water ratio. As someone said and I probably had it too strong itattacks the " rubber " material . So what is your ratio . I just found 4 made by Havansidy which according to research are superior to ones made by Beaufan although marineland nor either of these give them Micron ratings . However rumor says marineland filters are 8. Oddly the Beaufan are $59 CA for 4 as compaired to $ 29 for 4 of Havansidy again though the box they show says 4 but the text ( smaller writing) says 2 so we shall see. I will try your method if you would / will supply me with your mix ratio.

 

[Freenow54]

I was also considering Hydrogen Peroxide Thoughts ?