Do I have enough filtration

[Joshuakahan]

I have a 120 with 2 Senegal bichirs1 Delhezi, 2 pike cichlids and one elongatus shovelnose. My eheim 600 classic went out so that leaves me with 2 bio wheel 350s and a fluval 306. Everyone is 5-8” and I’m planning on a bigger tank after I move in 6 months. I do 10 gallons daily in water changes. Think I can get by until I get the bigger tank or should I replace the eheim immediately?
Thank you

 

[tlindsey]

I have a 120 with 2 Senegal bichirs1 Delhezi, 2 pike cichlids and one elongatus shovelnose. My eheim 600 classic went out so that leaves me with 2 bio wheel 350s and a fluval 306. Everyone is 5-8” and I’m planning on a bigger tank after I move in 6 months. I do 10 gallons daily in water changes. Think I can get by until I get the bigger tank or should I replace the eheim immediately?
Thank you

The best way to find this out is to test water parameters. The reading from the test for example any positive reading of Ammonia or Nitrite will indicate if the filters are sufficient to handle the bioload of the fish in the aquarium.

 

[Joshuakahan]

The best way to find this out is to test water parameters. The reading from the test for example any positive reading of Ammonia or Nitrite will indicate if the filters are sufficient to handle the bioload of the fish in the aquarium.

Thanks, with the eheim, my parameters are what they should be ,zero and zero with low nitrates , I guess I’ll test it in a week and see if they’ve still good

 

[esoxlucius]

I agree with Tom. If your filters aren't sufficient your parameters will tell you pretty quick, and in some cases with deadly effect. Test your water and act accordingly, whether that's with increased water changes or lower feeding.

Incidentally, what did you do with the bio media in the filter that broke? If you just took in out of the tank then your BB to bio load dynamic will be changed right there, probably leading to an ammonia spike.

 

[Joshuakahan]

I agree with Tom. If your filters aren't sufficient your parameters will tell you pretty quick, and in some cases with deadly effect. Test your water and act accordingly, whether that's with increased water changes or lower feeding.

Incidentally, what did you do with the bio media in the filter that broke? If you just took in out of the tank then your BB to bio load dynamic will be changed right there, probably leading to an ammonia spike.

Thanks, I did take the media out since I have no other filter to put it in. I’ll test my parameters in the morning. Is there any solution other than water changes to fix the spike if it happens? I have another tank that’s way over filtered, but would taking a filter from that one just cause the same issue in the other tank? The other tank does have a much lower bio load though

 

[esoxlucius]

Thanks, I did take the media out since I have no other filter to put it in. I’ll test my parameters in the morning. Is there any solution other than water changes to fix the spike if it happens? I have another tank that’s way over filtered, but would taking a filter from that one just cause the same issue in the other tank? The other tank does have a much lower bio load though

It dosen't matter if you consider your other tank to be way over filtered or not, because the BB colonies will only grow to a level that the food source will allow. I wouldn't touch the bio media in your other tank, or if you do, be very very wary of what could happen. You could end up with double trouble ammonia spikes.

Going off what you've said regarding taking the broken eheim bio media out of the equation, i'm pretty sure you will have an ammonia spike in that tank. You could do more water changes to keep it in check, using prime, which in itself will detoxify the ammonia for up to 48 hrs. Also, feed less and you could even try some of this bacteria in a bottle stuff that is being discussed on quite a few threads at the minute.

Either way, your BB colonies will eventually get back up to speed and things will settle down once more.

 

[Joshuakahan]

It dosen't matter if you consider your other tank to be way over filtered or not, because the BB colonies will only grow to a level that the food source will allow. I wouldn't touch the bio media in your other tank, or if you do, be very very wary of what could happen. You could end up with double trouble ammonia spikes.

Going off what you've said regarding taking the broken eheim bio media out of the equation, i'm pretty sure you will have an ammonia spike in that tank. You could do more water changes to keep it in check, using prime, which in itself will detoxify the ammonia for up to 48 hrs. Also, feed less and you could even try some of this bacteria in a bottle stuff that is being discussed on quite a few threads at the minute.

Either way, your BB colonies will eventually get back up to speed and things will settle down once more.

I’ve tried bacteria in a bottle and it’s been hit or miss for me. I think I’ll just test twice a day and do water changes. Ya, prime is good stuff. Luckily I just fed these guys a large meal of tilapia and shrimp yesterday, so I think I wait a few days to feed and then feed light until I know all is good. I was thinking I could move my Senegal’s to one of my other tanks temporarily, or maybe even one Senegal in each of my other tanks . Think that will help or is it better to just let the 120 stabilize with its usual bio load?

 

[esoxlucius]

I’ve tried bacteria in a bottle and it’s been hit or miss for me. I think I’ll just test twice a day and do water changes. Ya, prime is good stuff. Luckily I just fed these guys a large meal of tilapia and shrimp yesterday, so I think I wait a few days to feed and then feed light until I know all is good. I was thinking I could move my Senegal’s to one of my other tanks temporarily, or maybe even one Senegal in each of my other tanks . Think that will help or is it better to just let the 120 stabilize with its usual bio load?

If you're not completely bought on the idea of bottled help then I think regular testing, water changes, prime addition, lower feeding, all of these will be your friend over the next few days until things stabilise again.

And most important, watch your fish, you know their behaviour, sudden changes in behaviour usually mean something's not right.

Good luck.

 

[Joshuakahan]

If you're not completely bought on the idea of bottled help then I think regular testing, water changes, prime addition, lower feeding, all of these will be your friend over the next few days until things stabilise again.

And most important, watch your fish, you know their behaviour, sudden changes in behaviour usually mean something's not right.

Good luck.

Sounds like a plan, thanks

 

[duanes]

Anytime you take filter out of service, its a good idea to immediately put the biomedia in a a mesh bag, or some other container and leave it in the tank.
This will preserve many of the resident bacteria to use when it, or a new filter is put back.
It can also help to jump start another tank, to prevent need for cycling, or mini cycles.
Since I use sumps, and don't need them to be aesthetically pleasing, I throw old bio wheels, rings, lava rock or substrate in Tupperware or any old containers to use later. My sumps are a bastion of stuff, at the ready

I also agree, that no one can predict how long or how much media you need.
Each tank, with its stock is an entity unto itself, so testing your parameters regularly is the only sure fire method of knowing what's up.
And reacting with lots of water changes to parameter changes if need be can save a tank crash.