Help I am a novice
- Thread starter memryan
- Start date
1. return the fish and use pure ammonia to cycle the tank (if need be).
or keep the fish
2. buy more filtration
3. use seachem stability to help boost ur biological flirtation.
note: i would not tare down the whole tank and clean everything. doing this will destroy most of the beneficial bacteria and result in the cycle taking longer.
or keep the fish
2. buy more filtration
3. use seachem stability to help boost ur biological flirtation.
note: i would not tare down the whole tank and clean everything. doing this will destroy most of the beneficial bacteria and result in the cycle taking longer.
The emperor 400 is a filter, you can just google it.
While you clean the tank, you can place the fish in a seperate tank or bucket (make sure it is clean) filled with the aquarium's water.
To clean the tank, drain the water with a siphon, and if possible, move the aquarium to a place where you can easily clean it. I recommend you hose it and wipe it thoroughly with a towel. Rinse the gravel using buckets (I do it at the sink).
While you clean the tank, you can place the fish in a seperate tank or bucket (make sure it is clean) filled with the aquarium's water.
To clean the tank, drain the water with a siphon, and if possible, move the aquarium to a place where you can easily clean it. I recommend you hose it and wipe it thoroughly with a towel. Rinse the gravel using buckets (I do it at the sink).
OK, here is the link to another set of instructions for setting up your filter http://www.casco-group.com/system2-water-levels.pdf.
The pump (350 GPH) is on the left in the 2nd picture. I don't know if you received a pump with your purchase or if you have to purchase a pump separately. Contact the store you bought it from to see if you were supposed to get one.
The filter WILL NOT work if you do not have a pump to move the water around.
There should be no reason to buy another filter, at this time, until you get your built in system working properly.
I would also suggest returning your current fish to the store until you get this filter working properly. Your tank needs to be properly cycled BEFORE adding fish.
Hope this helps to clarify your problem.
The pump (350 GPH) is on the left in the 2nd picture. I don't know if you received a pump with your purchase or if you have to purchase a pump separately. Contact the store you bought it from to see if you were supposed to get one.
The filter WILL NOT work if you do not have a pump to move the water around.
There should be no reason to buy another filter, at this time, until you get your built in system working properly.
I would also suggest returning your current fish to the store until you get this filter working properly. Your tank needs to be properly cycled BEFORE adding fish.
Hope this helps to clarify your problem.
memryan;3758375; said:
just to check. Is this what it looks like?
http://www.tropicalfishstore.com/seaclear-system2.htm
Leave the bio balls alone they should not require cleaning at this stage of the system. Later you will rinse them in tank water.
Rinse or replace the filter pad (2 on link) depending on how well water flows through it. If the water is flowing over it that is a definite sign it needs cleaning. If the rinse doesn't work get a new pad.
When you do a water change make sure you add water conditioner.It binds the chlorine and other municipal water additives which are generally not good for fish. Am-quell is the prefferd conditioner but most work well. If you don't condition the water a 60% water change can trigger a tank cycle this will depend on your municipal water treatment, some people have this problem some don't.
When you siphon out water make sure you siphon through the gravel to pull up trapped dirt, waste and uneaten food.
12 chiclids are a bit much for a 30 gallon tank but exactly how many you can house depends on the species, post some pics.
I feel your frustration but it happens not only to new fish keepers but to experienced ones as well.
In this situation... Personally, I would do the following.
1 - Make sure you are only ever cleaning the filter media with old tank water.
2 - Daily 50% water changes - Using conditioned tap water
3 - Keep checking chemical levels till they are under control
4 - Keep feeding to the very minimum, and do it shortly before the water changes to ensure waste is rapidy removed
More filtration will be good in the long run, but is not going to really help much at this stage, as your filters do not contain enough biological content to deal with the bio-waste load. They need time to build up, and untreated tap water, too much waste is going to hurt growth.
Dont use chemicals to "lock away" ammonia, as it is required in some amount to be processed by the biological filtration.
The only quick fix here (in my eyes) is to bring in mature filter media from another established tank. This will give your tank a big boost in filtration and also help establish your existing filter media by seeding them, and reducing the ammonia load.
You can rectify this situation, it just needs a bit of time, and care.
Some people might disagree with me, but thats they way I would fix it
1 - Make sure you are only ever cleaning the filter media with old tank water.
2 - Daily 50% water changes - Using conditioned tap water
3 - Keep checking chemical levels till they are under control
4 - Keep feeding to the very minimum, and do it shortly before the water changes to ensure waste is rapidy removed
More filtration will be good in the long run, but is not going to really help much at this stage, as your filters do not contain enough biological content to deal with the bio-waste load. They need time to build up, and untreated tap water, too much waste is going to hurt growth.
Dont use chemicals to "lock away" ammonia, as it is required in some amount to be processed by the biological filtration.
The only quick fix here (in my eyes) is to bring in mature filter media from another established tank. This will give your tank a big boost in filtration and also help establish your existing filter media by seeding them, and reducing the ammonia load.
You can rectify this situation, it just needs a bit of time, and care.
Some people might disagree with me, but thats they way I would fix it
if you have a dozen 2-3" cichlids in a 40G tank, you are also over-stocked; that means you have too many fish in too small of a space . . . it's nothing new, people do this all the time
I suggest you pick the two or three fish you like best, and then return the rest to the pet store (if you can)
I know you are new to this, but do you know what kind of cichlids they are? that can also make a big difference, as today's 2-3" fish can become tomorrow 12" monster . . .
you've probably got information overload by now, but trust me, all of your problems have happened before to someone else. just need to work thru 'em . . .
I suggest you pick the two or three fish you like best, and then return the rest to the pet store (if you can)
I know you are new to this, but do you know what kind of cichlids they are? that can also make a big difference, as today's 2-3" fish can become tomorrow 12" monster . . .
you've probably got information overload by now, but trust me, all of your problems have happened before to someone else. just need to work thru 'em . . .
Now this is the best response yet! When we only feed the cichlids one time a day they eat each other (yes the kid has had 4 fish funerals as the bastards have eaten the eyes out of their peers). Feeding them morning and night seems to significantly reduce the aggression. The pet store is on the West Coast and I live in Boston so these suckers are staying as long as they can make it. They were picked as varieties that don't get too big though so that shouldn't be a huge issue. SeaClear suggested I pour "cycle" over the bioballs. They also kindly informed me that I should get a carbon sock and how to get some carbon in the filter. Who knew fish could be so friggin complicated. Honestly -- a dog would have been less time consuming. I very much appreciate all of the continued input. (as does the kid. He has requested his own username so he can post. He wants to learn.)
