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How do you get rid of those grime and dirt (protein build ups?) in the overhead filter containers? After they build up it's so hard to get rid of. So, how do we do it?

I have regular water changes twice a week and get to clean the filters twice a month with the water from the tank. Do I include the cleaning of the containers themselves with the filter cleaning or do I just use tap water for the containers? Is there a product that I can use to bring the shine back to the containers? Need help. Thanks.

Regards,
Mike D.

Btw, I use an transparent overhead wet/dry filter.

Use tank water. Otherwise you'll kill your benficial bacteria and send your tank into a cycle!

Probable the part you want to concentrate on are the impeller (the main moving part). In general, once a month for the filter box (if you're anal) is sufficient.

I don't see why you can't clean the filter housing or other plastic bits with tap-water. Yes, the tap-water contains chlorine to sterilize the water. This is no good for the beneficial bacteria. But the teaspoons volume of chlorinated water that would come back into the tank with the filter housing would not kill that many of the beneficial bacteria. If you're really worried about it, dry it with kitchen roll or towel, etc...

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Mats