I Need Better Filtration! Please Help!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
By removing everything in the tank you will also be removing the biological bacteria with it. So watch out for ammonia spikes in the next few weeks if you do this. And keep your aqua tech running for awhile and i would not clean it out. So hopefully you keep some BB alive. Too much change in a aquarium is disastrous
 
lol I learned my lesson of to much change to fast when I had my first tank which was a 10 gallon, came home from work, the cichlid, and the shark were dead. The only one that survived was the oscar i have in my avatar and he was covered in ich. After that ive been very careful about what i do to the tank.

I understand about the bacteria but if i leave say 25% of the water all the dirt that will get stirred up when i remove the rocks will create a mud puddle for my fish to swim in, then when i add the new water ill be in the same situation all over again. Im sorry if im overreacting, i just want to get this right so im not constantly worrying about the health of my fish...

Are you sure i shouldnt wash the old filter? The clear tubing looks brown, ill post some pics later so you can see the water condition and what not.

Thanks again for helping me out guys!
 
If you use a regular syphon and vacumm out 75% of the water then you will remove more than 75% of the dirt. Cause you are concentrating on the dirtiest part where all the dirt settles too. As long as you do not disturb the biological filter of the tank then you can continue these weekly 50% maintenance water changes and vacummings and the tank will become as clear as your drinking water. The only reason your tank would be this dirty is because you have neglected to propoerly maintain it in the first place and you can not 100% undo months of neglect in one cleaning with out causeing harm to the tanks bio. Sorry for being harsh but it is the truth.
 
Dont worry about it, like you said its the truth. I just want to improve my tank cleaning habbits so i can enjoy the tank and my fish. Ill do what you recommended and just do a 75% and keep the other filter along side the new one. Ill let you guys know how it turns out tomorrow when im finished.

Just to get this perfectly clear, i am not to touch the old filter when i change out the water, just leave it as is running next to the new one, changing the filter cartridges every week and a half or so?
 
1 ac 110 and do your water changes ... a filter is nothing compared 2 fresh water
 
hey guys just posting an update and saying thanks to all those who helped in my quest for clear water! Its been about 4 days now since I added the Cascade 300 along side me aqautech filter. The water is now crystal clear and i am vacuuming the waste out every few days, the tank looks great! The only thing is it has a yellowish tint because of the drift wood i added, (yes i rinsed it first), I know there are ways to clear it up but i was thinking of keeping it because it gives the tank a more amazoinian look. I was just wondering if this new look is harmful to the fish? They seem to be happy and are very active, no ich or any other illness.
 
Fantastic--the water will clear up over time and it shouldnot hurt the fish. After a few WC's it will be gone. As for the filter cartridges most people including myself just wash them out in the sink when they get dirty. I have been using the same ones for a year or more. You can keep using them until they fall apart. It saves alot of money and hurts nothing
 
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