55g aeration question(s)

[Stump]

Howdy,



Unless you only have a couple of guppies in there (I assume it's the poly tank in your sig) - you need more biofiltration. Substrate holds a significant portion of beneficial bacteria. With your bare bottom you only rely on the HOB, and that's not enough bar a far shot. That powerhead does not add anything other than water movement and aeration.

Yes, I plan on upgrading the filteration in a short while, thanks...

In the mean time, I really don't think there is much to worry about. I don't let anything sit on the bottom of the tank for long... Nitrates haven't gone over 30 since the tank has been set up, and looking at the stocklist in my sig, that's pretty damn good. I get a reading of 10 straight from the tap.

I know powerheads (except when you put a sponge on the intake) do nothing but add circulation and aeration. If you look at what I wrote again, I was adding for just that purpose (although that might have not been too clear).

Stop the filter for a few minutes and see if these particles sink or float. If they rise to the top and vanish, then they're air bubbles. If not, then you have other crap in there. One more reason to upgrade filtration.

They just kind of float in the water... neither sink nor float. The powerhead was off too.

Yes you are, unless you need to be concerned about heavy metals in your well.

HarleyK

Should I be concerned?

 

[MurderedOut]

yeah that filter is not near enough. not even close.

 

[Stump]

... k... thanks... ?

Please read the whole thread before commenting.

 

[tcarswell]

Hi everyone.

To get right down to it, I have a 55g (48x12x21 -- something like that) with a single Aqueon 55 hob filter... The tank has been set up since March, and is a barebottom tank with some rockwork on the right-hand side. For a while now (it could have been since I set it up) I have noticed tiny, tiny particle-like things floating around. I am pretty sure it's just oxygen, but I am starting to wonder if a single HOB filter can produce so much aeration.

I have an artesian well I get my water from, and I use Aquasafe and/or Nutrafin Aqua Plus water conditioners (right now it's nutrafin). Could what i'm seeing be particles from the conditioners? I have read that well water doesn't need to be treated a little while ago, and I am wondering if I am wasting money using them.


What do you think? Could a single filter create a lot of aeration in the water, or could it be the water conditioner's particles floating around freely from not being put to use?



I raised my water level a bit today to see if it would cut down what i'm seeing, but I don't want to leave it like that if it will deprive my fish of oxygen. My water level is usually just beneath the upper brace, so it isn't completely "full".


Any help would be appreciated... The sooner the better.



edit: I should also add that I use the same water treatment for my other tanks, and I don't notice anything with them... Slightly with my 40g, but I have an airstone in that one, under a rock.

As for the floaties it sounds like matter floating around which happens with little filtration.. or heavy filtration bypass What I would do is get an UGF they are cheap and will help your bio tremendously just dont use the coated gravel (Bio should need a little help with the filter you described) Plus it works kind of as a mechanical filter as well and all you have to do is keep up your gravel vacing like you have been. You will have good params and hopefully less floaties. Its either that or get an aqua clear

 

[Stump]

Yeah, I will definately upgrade the filteration. I haven't had any kind of trouble so far, so I know I still have some time.



If anyone wants to get rid of a filter for cheap, (real cheap, i'm broke) let me know.
Otherwise I may just buy a Cascade 300...

 

[tcarswell]

Yeah, I will definately upgrade the filteration. I haven't had any kind of trouble so far, so I know I still have some time.



If anyone wants to get rid of a filter for cheap, (real cheap, i'm broke) let me know.
Otherwise I may just buy a Cascade 300...

Grab the cascade I hear they are seriously under rated. And they have a capacity for bio rings as I recall which would help tremendously. That way you could keep your bare bottom if you like.

 

[Stump]

The Cascades look great for the price.