Can Bio-Filtration stop working?????

[xspainx69]

Is it possible to have an Emperor 400 that just stops maintaining the water parameters in check???

I am not sure if my bio-load is to big or my filter is no longer working or I just need a better filter?

I have a 75 Gallon tank with a 8 inch Channel Cat and a 5 inch Largemouth Bass.

I recently added (3) 2 inch Longear Sunfish.


I do realize that the Channel Cat will get big and so will the Largemouth Bass, for about 2 weeks now I have this problem with my pH remaining at acidic and my Ammonia bolting up to 4.0 PPM's.

I performed 50 % water changes twice in one week.

I also have Filter Cartridges and Ammo-Carbon Chips in the filter media.

I also added Ammo-Lock.

I also have an air stone as well.

I am not sure what else to do at this point. Is my filter no good anymore? Is the bio-load to much, in other words is there too much fish in one tank?

I cannot upgrade right away so this is out of the question for now....

What advice can you guys give me ?

Should I get a different filter?

Should I get rid of the 3 Longear Sunfish I bought?

Thanks
Manny

 

[snake513]

to get more bio out of the emporer fill the grey things with bio max or something eqielint. not sure just a thought

 

[xspainx69]

to get more bio out of the emporer fill the grey things with bio max or something eqielint. not sure just a thought

Yeah I put Ammo chips and carbon chips in those gray media things.

 

[snake513]

carbon and ammo chips arent that good for bio filtration though i belive they are more chemical bio max or matrix would be much better imo

 

[Burtess]

It sounds like you are overwhelming the Emp. 400 and it can't keep up. It is always good to run dual filtration anyway, why not add another Emp. 400 or better yet a canister? Something on the lines of a Fluval 305/405, XP3, or a Eheim 2215/2217....

Burt

 

[greyhoundfan]

Yeah..get another filter. Bioligical Filtration does not typically just stop working. Unless they get hit by something and your beneficial bacteria die off. Caro and ammo chips does not help with increasing your bio-load. It aids in chemical filtration. Get some bio-balls or ceramic medial. As mentioned above canister filters work great. I have 404s and just use the foam pad and bio-media. I don't use carbon.

 

[xspainx69]

Yeah..get another filter. Bioligical Filtration does not typically just stop working. Unless they get hit by something and your beneficial bacteria die off. Caro and ammo chips does not help with increasing your bio-load. It aids in chemical filtration. Get some bio-balls or ceramic medial. As mentioned above canister filters work great. I have 404s and just use the foam pad and bio-media. I don't use carbon.

Ok well I cant really afford a new canister filter for now. But I know someone who is selling a Emperor 400 filter. If I get another Emperor 400 and have them both running at the same time and I do a 50 percent water change do you think an improvement will unravel soon?

2 Emperor 400's in a 75 G.

Thanks

 

[Bderick67]

Testing your water parameters will answer your questions. What are your normal ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? How much does your nitrates rise between water changes? Does your pH differ between your tap water and tank water?

With ammonia spikes it could just be that your filtration needed to adjust to the new fish. Did the ammonia level drop?

You will see a acidic pH in heavily stocked tanks, but this could also lead to your bio filtration crashing.

 

[xspainx69]

Testing your water parameters will answer your questions. What are your normal ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? How much does your nitrates rise between water changes? Does your pH differ between your tap water and tank water?

With ammonia spikes it could just be that your filtration needed to adjust to the new fish. Did the ammonia level drop?

You will see a acidic pH in heavily stocked tanks, but this could also lead to your bio filtration crashing.

My tap water is 0 PPM Ammonia and 7.2 pH.

Currently my Ammonia is 4.0 PPM and 6.0 pH , Nitrite and Nitrate are 0 PPM's for about 2 weeks now.

I am considering buying a Fluval canister filter at the lfs, it will be crazy running two Emperor 400's and think Im saving on electricity and sleeping comfortably at night with that damn noise.

I am also getting rid of those 3 Longear Sunfish, they have a new home in California and I am mailing them out tomorrow morning.

Thanks

 

[Burtess]

Currently my Ammonia is 4.0 PPM and 6.0 pH , Nitrite and Nitrate are 0 PPM's for about 2 weeks now.

How long has this tank been running with fish in it? Sounds like it has never cycled.... even if you have overwhelmed the filtration you should still see nitrates.
It would be great if you could get some "dirty" floss from a friend or lfs to put in your present or new filter, and do daily water changes and reduce feeding until the filtration starts processing ammonia.
Then you will have to watch for the nitrite spike, continuing frequent water changes and adding a bit of salt (1 tsp per 10gal) will prevent "brown blood disease" from the elevated nitrite.

Burt