This picture changes a lot, I have had some issues with false readings with api test kits. How old is your test kit? I would buy another ammonia test kit and test it, your nitrate is showing that your tank is cycled. The infamous "green tint" in the api liquid test kits is common.
Clean filters
- Thread starter evox53187
- Start date
This picture changes a lot, I have had some issues with false readings with api test kits. How old is your test kit? I would buy another ammonia test kit and test it, your nitrate is showing that your tank is cycled. The infamous "green tint" in the api liquid test kits is common.
Your ammonia looks like it's showing 0 and your nitrates are kinda high but nothin a wc can't fix. Your params look fine to me.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Oh and sorry, I guess I read the op wrong. I didn't know you were talking about cleaning the ENTIRE filter, I thought you were just talking about the sponges. Cleaning the whole thing once a month would keep it running strong, but you need to clean the mechanical (sponges, mats, socks) once a week.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I agree. Maintain weekly WC and leave the filters alone. You got plenty of biological for the stock you currently have.
I would take some water to the LFS to have the ammonia checked, and to determine if your ammonia test kit is defective. You have plenty of bio media for 2-3x that stock.
After you rule that out, ensure your mechanical filtration is clean and is placed before the flow of the bio media. If not, your bio media may be getting clogged and less able to perform. I'm sure you know not to clean all of the bio media at once, or you'll have a huge bio bloom.
Lastly, feed less. Try skipping two or three days a week.
FYI, I have the same size tank with at least 3x that stock and I haven't cleaned my 4L of Matrix (~100GPH) in over a year. I use about 6L of pillow stuffing for mechanical with a ~300GPH flow and I change it about once every month or two.
Edit: I typed all of that up after you showed the pics of your tank, and before seeing your water test. What everyone else said is right, your ammo is fine. Try restricting the flow in one of your filters with the most media. This may help reduce Nitrate.
After you rule that out, ensure your mechanical filtration is clean and is placed before the flow of the bio media. If not, your bio media may be getting clogged and less able to perform. I'm sure you know not to clean all of the bio media at once, or you'll have a huge bio bloom.
Lastly, feed less. Try skipping two or three days a week.
FYI, I have the same size tank with at least 3x that stock and I haven't cleaned my 4L of Matrix (~100GPH) in over a year. I use about 6L of pillow stuffing for mechanical with a ~300GPH flow and I change it about once every month or two.
Edit: I typed all of that up after you showed the pics of your tank, and before seeing your water test. What everyone else said is right, your ammo is fine. Try restricting the flow in one of your filters with the most media. This may help reduce Nitrate.
Yea theres a problem with green tint in api test kits making it a false positive. Prime or safe are known to cause false ammonia readings. The reason why is a bit of an explanation but in a short explanation prime/safe and just about all water conditioners have the ability to bond to ammonia and nitrite when the dosage is at a high level, the chemicals in the ammonia test kits picks up these premature bonds leading it to think there is ammonia. But your tank is cycled and your fine.
