Filter size-tank size help

[Randy West]

I have a 29G that I gravel vac monthly and 5G water change. It seems that my tank is always dirty. So what is the max filter i can use? I have the 20-40G pump now. Can i go one size bigger or create a current to keep everything flowing to the filter?

 

[pescado209]

bigger/more is always better .

I run an a.c. 30 and an a.c. 50 on my 30g planted with red cherries. gravel vac a couple times a year 50% water change every 5-6weeks. water looks pretty clean and parameter are good.

 

[Backfromthedead]

slap an ac110 on that b

 

[Allan01230]

yes I run 2 AC 110s on my 80 gallon water is crystal clear Aqua clear are real work horses

 

[robham777]

Is that one gravel vac and a 5 gallon water change per month? If so this is the problem. Most fishkeepers on this site do a minimum of 50% weekly water change. What is in the tank?

 

[Randy West]

Is that one gravel vac and a 5 gallon water change per month? If so this is the problem. Most fishkeepers on this site do a minimum of 50% weekly water change. What is in the tank?

Every 30 days. Its a 29G so with evap+vac+5G its about 25%-33% water change. The tank has EBA, peppered cory, leopard pleco, 2 platys and a fiddler crab. By "dirty" I mean bio-load. Could that also mean I'm overfeeding? I usually put about what they consume in 5 minutes.

 

[Chockful O Phail]

Every 30 days. Its a 29G so with evap+vac+5G its about 25%-33% water change. The tank has EBA, peppered cory, leopard pleco, 2 platys and a fiddler crab. By "dirty" I mean bio-load. Could that also mean I'm overfeeding? I usually put about what they consume in 5 minutes.

With a pleco and cichlid in there you should be changing 50%+ weekly. I’d be doing fin level weekly with every other week filter clean in that small of a tank.

 

[Gourami Swami]

The problem, as stated, is your maintenance schedule. Once a week water change is pretty much the minimum. I do 2x a week on one of tanks, since it is stocked a bit on the heavy side.
I would recommend you do a once a week 30-50% water change, and clean the filter every three weeks (make sure you rinse the bio media in tank water, not tap water). I bet you notice the difference immediately. Your tank will stay clean and water clear.
Also, bigger filter is always better, but a good maintenance schedule is more important IMO.

 

[duanes]

I agree a once per month water change schedule is hardly even close to being enough. The smaller the tank, the more water changes need.
I changed 30% every other day, and clean all mechanical media at the same time on 1000 gallons of tanks.
Especially with a tank as small as 29 gallons.
You could do daily 50% water changes in barely 5 minutes

 

[Randy West]

Ok. I will start w/c weekely. Thanks everybody. Ive learned so much in a few days on this site. How do I support the site?