Do i clean the overflow box?

[Notsolostfish]

Just noticed my overflow box at the bottkm have leftover food and etc. If i dont clean that i would get ammonia spikes? Should i be worried about it?

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

You won’t necessarily get ammonia spikes if your tank is fully cycled, but it will break down and increase your nitrates and phosphates. I periodically use a smaller diameter vinyl tube to clean out mine.

Any left over food or detritus in your overflows and sump should be cleaned when doing water changes. I don’t get all of mine every time but at least once a month.

 

[V A R I A N T]

Squirt using a turkey baster to get the detritus suspended and let it flow into your pre filter medium.