got new canistermfilter

[LOCO_LOCO]

ok, i just got canister external filter for up to 100 galon, its odyssea brand, made in china, i got because it was new and 60$ shiped. i know made in china usually not good but, i was short on the money,anyway, i did set it up, works good, no noise, perty quiet too, its kind of big but its ok, my tank has lot of room under the cabinet, my tank is 90 galon,
anyway i never used this type filter before, my questions is: how often do i need to clean it?
should i keep it on highest lever? its on highest level rightnow but its pumps kind of strongly,
should i keep it on all the time?
also how often should i change water? i am kind of new with cichlids fishes
, i have some flowerhorns, convict, some african cichlids..etc.
thank you

 

[Jamieb]

I hope you made sure it does not contain lead. Almost 90% of everything that comes from china contains some lead.

 

[LOCO_LOCO]

damn, u serious

 

[Jamieb]

Well not totally, but if you have been reading newspaper for the last six month everything from the plastics used in cell phones to GPS plastics and paint used on childrens toys,petfood ect all have been tested to some degree resulting with dangerous amounts of lead. I hate to sound so cynical but hey if the shoe fits...

 

[LOCO_LOCO]

so far so good, all my fishes fine now, i think they will be fine, fish r strong animal,
thank you.

 

[Jamieb]

Sorry if I scared you,was not trying to. I am very careful with anything i buy and now anything made in china is looked over and read up on to be sure. I hope you get tons of years pleasure from your new purchase. Peace!

 

[LOCO_LOCO]

ok, got it but still no answers for my questions? anyone read it yet?

 

[Jamieb]

I recently bought a Rena xp3 cannister filter for my 90g and I clean once month with gravel clean,I do 25% water change every 2weeks . You have to check your tanks ammonia,nitrate,nitrite.ph and thats usually a big reason right away.How big is your tank ?

 

[LOCO_LOCO]

90 galon , its 6 corner and tall tank

 

[Merbeast]

I would clean it every month or 3 depending on the bioload in the tank. Check it in a month, if it is still pretty clean, go 2 months and check it again, etc.

P.S. Most filters are made in China. Most everything is made in China. I wouldn't worry about there being enough lead in the filter to make your fish die, just don't drink water from the filter.