Do I need a bigger filter???

[fishfood2326]

either you're doing something to kill off the bacteria in the filter or you need a bigger one.

What do you mean by kill off the bacteria? I saw this stuff at the pet store, cant remember the name, but it was basically good bacteria for fish tanks...should I get some and try it out? Is there a test for good bacteria?
I currently test for: Ph, Total Alkalinity/Buffering Capacity, Total Hardness, Nitrite, Nitrate,(Test strips).

 

[fishfood2326]

we were having an amonia problem in one of our tanks, come to find out the water changes were the problem, not the cure. the water we were using to do the water changes had high levels of amonia in it already..

test your water and test the "clean" water you are putting in when you do water changes. Now i have to go to a water store and buy water to do water changes.

other than that, increase your biofiltration..

Thank you, I never tested my tap water before(I know Im a NOOB). Turns out the Ph is at about 6.8, and the Total Alkalinity is at about 100 ppm (a tad on the low side) and the rest was perfect.

So I need to treat my water first, then do changes.

 

[Cylinder]

As for the filter it's good(I change it often)

How often? I'm a complete beginner - so caveat emptor - but my understanding is that frequent filter changes can cause mini cycles which might be what you are describing. Every knowledgeable recommendation I have rad is to clean it with used tank water (like once per month) when you do a PWC. Maybe a pro here can comment.

 

[fishfood2326]

How often? I'm a complete beginner - so caveat emptor - but my understanding is that frequent filter changes can cause mini cycles which might be what you are describing. Every knowledgeable recommendation I have rad is to clean it with used tank water (like once per month) when you do a PWC. Maybe a pro here can comment.

A mini-cycle from only a 10% water change? I think I heard that more than 10% can cause mini-cycles, but i could be mistaken.(Im married so Im used to being wrong).

Oh, and as regards to a pro's comments, from what I heard Bigspizz is the MAN when it comes to water filtration and treatments. So as soon as he reads this thread(and he will) we'll get a pros oppinion.

 

[fishfood2326]

Not always IMO. I think over filtration is a waste of power.

I just want to make sure that with four fish in the tank, that a larger filter is needed to maintain proper balance, thats all.

 

[Cylinder]

A mini-cycle from only a 10% water change?

Maybe I misunderstood - I thought you were changing the filter media frequently. From my understanding, a fair percentage of the N-bacteria present in your tank will colonize your filter media because of its combination of an oxygen-rich environment with a large surface area.

 

[fishfood2326]

Maybe I misunderstood - I thought you were changing the filter media frequently. From my understanding, a fair percentage of the N-bacteria present in your tank will colonize your filter media because of its combination of an oxygen-rich environment with a large surface area.

If the filter media is the white pouch with black rocks in it, then yes I change it once a month.

 

[Bderick67]

This is where your problem is, not your fault just bad design of the filter.BB (beneficial bateria) is what changes the ammonia into nitrites and then the nitrites into nitrates. The nitrates are then removed through water changes.

With your filter, the best place for your BB to colonize is the fitler cartridge, which you change regularly. There for when you change your filter cartridge you are removing a large portion of your BB. This is the cause for your ammonia.

One way to fix this is go buy a package of 4 pot scrubbers, they need to be the nylon plastic type with no added chemicals. Stuff these into your filter prefferablely after the cartridge(this will give your BB a permanite place to colonize. When your change your cartridge only rinse the pot scrubbies with tank water(the chlorine in tap water will destroy the BB). Try this for a while and if it does not help I would go with a different brand of filter, either aquaclear or penguin bio wheels.

In the mean time to combat the ammonia use Prime(it will detoxify the ammonia)and keep doing you water changes.

 

[bigspizz]

This is where your problem is, not your fault just bad design of the filter.BB (beneficial bateria) is what changes the ammonia into nitrites and then the nitrites into nitrates. The nitrates are then removed through water changes.

With your filter, the best place for your BB to colonize is the fitler cartridge, which you change regularly. There for when you change your filter cartridge you are removing a large portion of your BB. This is the cause for your ammonia.

One way to fix this is go buy a package of 4 pot scrubbers, they need to be the nylon plastic type with no added chemicals. Stuff these into your filter prefferablely after the cartridge(this will give your BB a permanite place to colonize. When your change your cartridge only rinse the pot scrubbies with tank water(the chlorine in tap water will destroy the BB). Try this for a while and if it does not help I would go with a different brand of filter, either aquaclear or penguin bio wheels.

In the mean time to combat the ammonia use Prime(it will detoxify the ammonia)and keep doing you water changes.

I agree! Only a whisper 5-15 is not big enough to hold anything but the floss cartrage and the bio cartrage. The one with the carbon, if you have to have carbon,(carbon is only needed occasionally IMPO) just get the build your own cartrage and reuse the floss change the carbon, saving BB.

You can gently rub the detritus (poo) off in the bucket of water you just removed (the chlorine in tap water WILL kill BB) ideally the water in your tank has less chlorine than tap.

You CAN change more than 10 % without risk every day. you can safely do up to 50% a day on a messy fish tank without cause for concern. (Wyldfya is the man when it comes to water)


On a community 10 gal 10 % a day would be great. Fish will usually tolerate alot of small changes over infrequent large ones any day. Every tank is different we can give you suggestions but ultimately you are your own best resource when it comes to your tank. Hope I helped.

 

[courtneem]

I wouldnt suggest changing the filter media often, you are throwing away good bacteria. When you do a PWC in the bucket of tank water swish it around and clean it off and put it back in. Change it once a month or so.

Also make sure and test ammonia the next day before another pwc. I get ammonia readings after a PWC and when I used Prime I got high readings which were false.

Hope this helps.