How to Maintain Your External Aquarium Filter – A Complete Guide by All Pond Solutions!

Keeping your aquarium water clean, clear, and healthy begins with one essential task – maintaining your external aquarium filter. At All Pond Solutions, we understand that your filter is the beating heart of your aquarium, working tirelessly to remove waste, toxins, and debris while supporting a thriving colony of beneficial bacteria.  Any model from the EF range requires regular maintenance is vital to ensure long-term performance and crystal-clear water.

Before we begin, please note that we offer a wide range of external aquarium filters, and each model operates differently. Always refer to your specific product manual during setup and maintenance.
If you need a copy of your instruction manual, it can be found on the product page of your filter under the 'Product Instruction' tab.

 Why Regular Filter Maintenance Matters

Your external aquarium filter runs continuously, pulling water through layers of mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration. Over time, filter sponges collect debris, biological media can become clogged, and activated carbon loses its effectiveness. Without regular cleaning, your aquarium’s water flow slows down and harmful ammonia and nitrite levels can rise – putting your fish at risk.

Routine filter maintenance helps to:

• Maintain stable, healthy water quality
• Prevent bacterial imbalances
• Extend the lifespan of pumps and seals
• Reduce noise, leaks, and performance issues

 Step-by-Step: How to Clean an All Pond Solutions External Filter

1. Unplug and Shut Off the Valves
   Turn off the power and close both the inlet and outlet taps. Have a towel or small bucket nearby to catch any drips.
2. Disassemble Carefully
   Remove the filter head and lift out the trays. If you use an UV model, disconnect the UV steriliser gently to avoid damaging the bulb or quartz sleeve.
3. Clean Media with Aquarium Water
   Always rinse filter sponges, ceramic rings, and bio-balls in aquarium water (not tap water) to preserve beneficial bacteria essential for biological filtration.
4. Replace Chemical Media
   Replace activated carbon, every 2-3 months as it can start releasing absorbed chemicals back into the water. Fine foams need changing every 4-6 weeks, while medium and coarse foams should be replaced if damaged or pores enlarge.
5. Clean the Impeller and Housing
   Use small brush to remove any slime or debris. Check the impeller shaft and O-rings for wear – both can be replaced easily using genuine All Pond Solutions spare parts.
6. Reassemble and Prime
   Re-stack the trays in the correct order – mechanical at the bottom, biological in the middle, and chemical on top. Fill the canister with water, secure the head, and prime the filter to eliminate trapped air before restarting.

Replacement Parts and Accessories

At All Pond Solutions, we supply a full range of filter spare parts to keep your system in top condition:

• Replacement seals, O-rings, and impeller kits
• Filter media packs, foam pads, and ceramic rings
• UV bulbs and quartz sleeves for “+” (UV models)
• Hoses, connectors, and taps

Replacing worn parts regularly prevents leaks and ensures your filter runs efficiently for years.

Expert Guides and Support

Our Youtube channel provides lots of How-To Guides and video tutorials cover everything from cleaning and re-priming to upgrading filter media and changing UV bulbs. Whether you’re maintaining an EF range filter or installing a new product, we have a step-by-step help ready for you.

Final Tips

• Clean your external filter every 4–6 weeks.
• Avoid cleaning all the media at once – alternate trays to keep bacteria colonies stable.
• Inspect all seals and hoses after each clean.

A well-maintained All Pond Solutions external filter means clearer water, healthier fish, and a more enjoyable aquarium for you to admire every day.