proper meathod to clean filter..

Hey everyone.. I was wondering what the proper meathod and schedual is for cleaning the filter.. I used the stuff that clumps the particles then traps them in the filter,,, so I took my filter out after and just dipped it in de-chlorinized water a few times.. the water went super dark green.. I only did it a few times cuase i was affriad of hurting my bacteria.. did I need to worry or should I not touch it at all.. it seemed pretty dirty though!! Also once its time to change it how do I get it colinized?

 

also it is a hang on back filter.. for a 16 gallon.. well the filter is for a 20 but i have a 16.. thanks

 

I clean my tanks every 1 1/2 weeks (basically alternate mondays & fridays) because that's what I can get away with according to my nitrAte reading. Anway, with my HOB filters, every time I clean the tank I take a bucket of tank water and rinse out he media as much as I can (shake it around & try to squeeze out some of the gunk). Then every month or so, I'll take the media and rinse it off with the hose (I don't have chlorine in my water so there's no worries about the bacteria).

-Chelle