900 liter/ 237 gallon heavy stock aquarium is fx6 enough?

[josh1986]

Hi guys I have a 2000*600*750 which is about 900 liters or 237 gallons. It's stocked pretty heavy in my opinion. The stocking is
1 black belt about 6 inch
1 synspilum 4 inch
1 texas 4 inch
2 Jack dempsey 3.5 and 5 inch
2 festae 3 inch
1 albino fenestratus 4 inch
1 argentea 4 inch
1 jag 4.5inch
1 freddy 4.5 inch
2 silver dollars full grown
2 sotted dollars 2 inch
1 salmon tailed catfish 5 inch
1 Featherfin cat 5 inch
1 blue crayfish 5 inch

I have an fx6 with matrix about 3 liters and the rest is full of marine pure. I have a 12000 l/h wave maker for circulation and do 1 60% water change every 2 weeks. Tank is crystal clear but do u think I need to add another cannister? I was thinking a ehiem 2080pro? They hold more media and flow slower for better media time? What do u think? Oh I don't want to go with a sump. Thanks

 

[deeda]

Why not choose another FX6 or even an Eheim 2262 if you want additional filtration?

Are you having problems with the existing FX6 doing its job at picking up debris in the tank or do you just want to add another filter?

Can you post your water test results for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

Crystal clear water won't tell you that you have enough filtration capacity to process ammonia and nitrite nor will it let you know what the nitrate level is which is the end product of the biological process. I apologize in advance if you already know this.

Can you increase your water change to weekly instead? It won't hurt and it does seem as though you are heavily stocked.

 

[josh1986]

Just did a test it's been about 10mins here's the results. It's due for a water change tomorrow. I think I need more media volume to keep the levels good? Any suggestions?

 

[deeda]

The ammonia seems to be a bit green but it might just be the lighting or the time since you did the test. Ideally, compare the test color to the chart after 5 minutes to get the correct reading.

Nitrite and nitrate appear just fine.

Perform your regular water change and then test again and post the results.

 

[josh1986]

The ammonia seems to be a bit green but it might just be the lighting or the time since you did the test. Ideally, compare the test color to the chart after 5 minutes to get the correct reading.

Nitrite and nitrate appear just fine.

Perform your regular water change and then test again and post the results.

Yeah ammonia is a bit green for my liking too. What is the ideal reading for nitrate?

 

[josh1986]

Also that photo was about 10mins after I did the test. It's a grow out tank so I'm just waiting to see how they go with each other as they grow and then select the ones that get along the best

 

[deeda]

A nitrate level over zero and usually below 40ppm. I'm not saying 40ppm is something I would be comfortable with but some members have that level due to a high nitrate level in their tap water.

I don't think there are any peer reviewed published standards for aquarium fish regarding 'safe' nitrate levels, most are extrapolated from studies done on food/game fish raised artificially.

 

[josh1986]

Did a 60% water change and gravel clean. Would my gravel make a difference it is so fine like a sand I think a lot of waste may build up in it. I did the tests and also tested my pH. I have never altered the pH level as I think keeping it stable is better? What do u think of the results? I think the ammonia may still be high. Would another filter with 4 liters of matrix in addition to what I have help? Also I have about 15 marine pure spheres left over, if I place them in the tank as they won't fit in the fx6 will they still help with the bio filtration? Got a few pics of the tubes to try get the best picture of the colour for u.

 

[deeda]

Josh, I definitely see a color change on the nitrate test but not so much on the ammonia test. Wait 24 hours and test the ammonia again and post the results.

How long has this tank been set up?

Can you please also test your tap water for ammonia and post the results?

Don't mess with the pH at all, a stable pH is the best.

Don't worry or mess with your filter media at this time. I also don't think adding any more bio-media would make any difference at least for the time being.

 

[josh1986]

OK cool I'll test again tonight. I think the tank has been setup for about 10 weeks. The fx6 I got off a bloke and has only been running on my tank for 6 weeks cheers for the help