Cleaning the filter in the aquarium Xiaomi: a complete guide with photos and tips

Why cleaning the filter in the aquarium Xiaomi is not just hygiene, but the key to the health of fish

Xiaomi’s smart aquariums (such as the Mi Aquarium or Mijia Smart Fish Tank) have become popular thanks to automation of fish care. But even the most advanced equipment needs to be maintained manually — especially the filter element. A clogged filter not only reduces water transparency, but also leads to the accumulation of toxic substances: ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, which poison the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Unlike traditional filters, Xiaomi systems are often equipped with multi-stage cleaning (mechanical cleaning). + biological sensors, water quality sensors and even UV-This complicates the cleaning process: wrong actions can dump colonies of beneficial bacteria or damage electronic components. In this article, we will discuss how to clean the filter in the Xiaomi aquarium without risk to the ecosystem, taking into account the characteristics of specific models.

Spoiler: If your aquarium is connected to the Mi Home app, after cleaning, it may be necessary to recalibrate the sensors – this is something many forget!

What Xiaomi Aquarium Models Need Regular Filter Cleaning

Not all Xiaomi smart aquariums are arranged the same way, but here are the key models for which this instruction is relevant:

• 🐟 Mi Aquarium (16/30 liter) - a classic model with a built-in filter and LED-The filter unit is removable, with a sponge and biofiller.

If you have a different model (like Deerma or Viomi, which are also sold under the Xiaomi brand), check the filter type in the instructions. External filters (like Xiaomi Mi Water Purifier) are cleaned differently - they need a separate instruction.

When to Clean the Filter: 5 Signs and the Optimal Frequency

The manufacturer recommends cleaning the filter every 2-4 weeks, but in practice the frequency depends on:

• 🐠 Aquarium population (the more fish, the faster the sponge clogs).
• 🌱 The presence of living plants (they partially absorb nitrates, reducing the load on the filter).
• 🍃 Type of feed (dry food pollutes water more quickly than live or frozen food).

Don’t wait until the recommended time limit – note these signals that the filter needs to be cleaned urgently:

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Home app has a notification "High turbidity of water" or "Filter maintenance is required", do not ignore it! In some models (for example, Mijia Smart Fish Tank) in case of critical contamination, the filter can automatically turn off to avoid overheating.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble and clean the filter in the aquarium Xiaomi

Before you start, prepare:

Water from the aquarium (not tap water!) for washing the sponge|Soft toothbrush or sponge|Tweezers (to extract biofiller)|Gloves (optional)|Dirty water drain tank|New filler (if replacement is required)-->

Now we're going to clean up. The algorithm is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but with nuances:

1. In electronically controlled models (like the Youpin Smart Aquarium), wait 2-3 minutes after the tank is turned off, so that the capacitors run out, otherwise moisture protection may work when disassembling.
2. Remove the filter unit. In the Mi Aquarium, it's located at the back and it's mounted on the latches. In the Mijia Smart Fish Tank, the filter is removed through the top cover. Don't pull the wires! -- some models have sensors connected to the filter.
3. Disassemble the filter into components: 🧽 Mechanical sponge (first stage, traps garbage). 🦠 Biofiller (ceramic granules or biobeads for bacteria). 🔮 Coal filter (if any, usually in a separate compartment). 💡 UV-The lamp (only in the Mijia Smart Fish Tank).

Wash the sponge and body.

Use only water from the aquarium (the chlorine from the tap will kill the good bacteria!) The water temperature should be the same as in the aquarium. Don't rub the sponge too hard, it has nitrifying bacteria on its surface.

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If the sponge is heavily contaminated, wash it in two waters: first in the water drained from the aquarium, then in clean (settled) water at room temperature.

Clean the biofiller.

Ceramic pellets or biobeads are enough to rinse in water from the aquarium. Do not use soap or detergents! If the filler crumbles or is covered with mucus, it needs to be replaced.

Check it out. UV-lamp (if any).

In models with an ultraviolet lamp (Mijia Smart Fish Tank), it should be wiped with a napkin dipped in alcohol. Do not touch the glass bulb with your bare hands - the fat from the skin reduces the life of the lamp.

Collect the filter and set it back.

Make sure all the elements are in their place and the sealing gums (if any) are not twisted. In models with sensors, check that the connectors are tightly connected.

Connect the aquarium to the network and perform calibration.

The Mi Home app may request "Equipment Check." Follow the instructions on the screen. If the water pressure is weak, check if the tubes are clogged (you can also brush them with a toothbrush).

⚠️ Warning: If the filter starts to make noise or vibrate after cleaning, you probably didn't properly assemble the impeller of the pump. Take the filter apart again and check if a foreign object (such as a piece of sponge) got inside).

Typical mistakes when cleaning the filter Xiaomi: what can kill the fish

Even experienced aquarists sometimes make mistakes that lead to a failure of the biobalance or equipment.

• 🚫 Wash the sponge under running water. Chlorine and extreme temperature drop kill colonies of bacteria responsible for processing ammonia. After this cleaning, a nitrite outbreak can occur in the aquarium, a dangerous condition for fish.
• 🚫 Change all the fillers at once. If you replace the sponge, biofiller, and charcoal, the filter will lose all the beneficial bacteria. Change no more than 1-2 components at a time to maintain the biobalance.
• 🚫 Use household chemicals. Even the residues of detergent can poison fish. To clean the filter case, use only baking soda (diluted in water) or special aquarium products.
• 🚫 Cleaning the filter and changing the water at the same time, which is a double stress for the ecosystem.
• 🚫 Ignore errors in the Mi Home app. If the app is lit with a "Low water level" or "Pump error" warning after cleaning, don't manually reset it. First check the tightness of the connections!

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The most common mistake is to flush the biofiller under the tap, which resets the nitrogen cycle, and the aquarium will have to be re-run like a new one.

How to extend the life of the filter: tips for care

Cleaning regularly is good, but you can reduce the frequency if:

• 🐟 Don't overfeed fish. Excess feed is the main cause of pollution. Feed fish as much as they eat in 2-3 minutes. Xiaomi's smart aquariums can set up automatic feeding with precise dosages.

Another life hack: if you have an external filter in your aquarium (like the Xiaomi Mi Water Purifier), you can connect it parallel to the main one, which will distribute the load and increase the intervals between cleanings.

Replacement of fillers: when and how to do it correctly

Not all filter components last forever, but here are the approximate replacement times for Xiaomi aquariums:

How to replace the filler:

1. Turn off the filter from the network and remove it.
2. Remove the old filler (do not mix the new with the remnants of the old one!).
3. Wash the filler compartment with water from the aquarium.
4. Fill in new material (don't tamper!).
5. If you replace the biofiller, add starter bacteria (such as Tetra SafeStart or Sera Nitrivec) to your aquarium to speed up colonization.

In Xiaomi Youpin Smart Aquarium models, when replacing the carbon filter, you may need to reset the resource counter in the Mi Home application. To do this, go to Settings → Service → Reset the filter timer.

Frequent questions about cleaning the filter in the aquarium Xiaomi