NEVER CLEAR ENOUGH!
- Thread starter aegall03
- Start date
Didn't OP say that the water is Brown, not Milky white, not green, but brown Yes?
Cascade 700 filters a garbage, there is a lot of spaces the poop, food, and other things that can pass through the rather large gaps in the 700. The AC 70, is pretty much doing all the work in that tank. Bioload of both the fishes isn't that much, IMO...
I would toss out the Cascade 700 and get a Better canister filter. Fluva 405 and a AC 110 would keep the tank clear.
Cascade 700 filters a garbage, there is a lot of spaces the poop, food, and other things that can pass through the rather large gaps in the 700. The AC 70, is pretty much doing all the work in that tank. Bioload of both the fishes isn't that much, IMO...
I would toss out the Cascade 700 and get a Better canister filter. Fluva 405 and a AC 110 would keep the tank clear.
Well, the Cascade is for tanks of 65 gallons or less. With the pump rated at 185 gph.
The AC 70 is rated for tanks up to 70 gallons with the pump rated at 300 gph.
What you SHOULD have is a canister that is rated for over a 75 gallon tank and a HOB that is rated for over a 75 gallon tank.
You are under filtered.
For a 75 gallon tank with an Oscar and Pleco, I would not run anything less than a Fluval 404 with the AC 70
But I strongly recommend and prefer a Fluval 404 with an AC110.
Why so much? Because those 2 fish create so much waste, its better to go beyond the recommended minimum tank filtration.
If you had a tank of guppies and tetras, you would certainly be just fine with what you have.
But for Oscars (and i know what i'm saying), you need to go above and beyond with filtration and tank maintenance.
I strongly recommend rinsing your fiter media really well in tank water as you planned.
And doing so, alternatly every couple weeks. First week, do the canister, the next week do the HOB.
Also, make sure when you are refilling your tank with water from the python which inevitably comes from the tap that you are treating enough dechlorinator to treat the entire tank. Not just the water you are adding back.
Your cloudy/dirty water is simply the result of improper filtration considering the fish you have in that size tank.
Planaria are the result of either over feeding, poor tank maintenance or both.
Since you are doing the recommended amount of water changes, you must then look at the filtration and feeding.
In fact. I would go ahead and feed every other day. If your Oscar and pleco are about 10", then they will do well with feeding every other day.
You dont need carbon.
If your tank is properly filtered and maintained, you will have clear water and no bad smell.
Carbon is really only useful in removing medications from the water.
In fact, carbon can mask certain smells that would otherwise alert you to a problem.
Hope that helps. Good luck
The AC 70 is rated for tanks up to 70 gallons with the pump rated at 300 gph.
What you SHOULD have is a canister that is rated for over a 75 gallon tank and a HOB that is rated for over a 75 gallon tank.
You are under filtered.
For a 75 gallon tank with an Oscar and Pleco, I would not run anything less than a Fluval 404 with the AC 70
But I strongly recommend and prefer a Fluval 404 with an AC110.
Why so much? Because those 2 fish create so much waste, its better to go beyond the recommended minimum tank filtration.
If you had a tank of guppies and tetras, you would certainly be just fine with what you have.
But for Oscars (and i know what i'm saying), you need to go above and beyond with filtration and tank maintenance.
I strongly recommend rinsing your fiter media really well in tank water as you planned.
And doing so, alternatly every couple weeks. First week, do the canister, the next week do the HOB.
Also, make sure when you are refilling your tank with water from the python which inevitably comes from the tap that you are treating enough dechlorinator to treat the entire tank. Not just the water you are adding back.
Your cloudy/dirty water is simply the result of improper filtration considering the fish you have in that size tank.
Planaria are the result of either over feeding, poor tank maintenance or both.
Since you are doing the recommended amount of water changes, you must then look at the filtration and feeding.
In fact. I would go ahead and feed every other day. If your Oscar and pleco are about 10", then they will do well with feeding every other day.
You dont need carbon.
If your tank is properly filtered and maintained, you will have clear water and no bad smell.
Carbon is really only useful in removing medications from the water.
In fact, carbon can mask certain smells that would otherwise alert you to a problem.
Hope that helps. Good luck
I say get more filteration. A Rena filstar does nicely. A fluval fx5 would be great but are slightly expensive. Make sure you have enough biological filtration. What are your water parameters? Maybe twice a week water changes. And feed less, like only 4-5 times a week. Hope this helps a little 
I had the same problem years ago when I kept 2 large oscars, 2 firemouths, and a Jack dempsy in a 70.
Adding ammo chips in my 2 bag whisper filter and an undergravel filter with 2 powerheads fixed my problem. I never had an ammonia problem after that.
I couldn't afford a fancy canister filter with bio media back then.
Adding ammo chips in my 2 bag whisper filter and an undergravel filter with 2 powerheads fixed my problem. I never had an ammonia problem after that.
I couldn't afford a fancy canister filter with bio media back then.
If you have planaria you are overfeeding. I would do a massive water change, like 75% and vaccuum the gravel really well and cut way back on my feeding. fish dont need to be fed every day. Oscars are beggars so you have to resist the temptation. If you cut back to feeding a couple times a week and do 50% water changes a week you will see a drastic improvement. dont waste your money on chemicals or UV sterilizers. they wont solve anything if you keep overfeeding.
aegall03;3941201; said:haha. You should get one!
I love my tiger!
Well, My filters combined equal 485 gph, and thats assuming they are running to full potential.
Someday I probably will, but for now I am in the process of setting up my 220 to give my loaches more room. The Oscar tank may have to wait till I build a house so I can design it around a couple good size tanks. Everything I have read though, they are each as different as people are.
I have to agree with the rest of the population here though, maybe you should look into a Fluval. My LFS swears by em. Just make sure you are overfiltering the hell out of your tank. Let us know how the filter cleaning goes. Good Idea to take out about 3-4 Gal of water into a bucket and rinse the Mech filter out in it real good. If it looks like a really old nasty cup of coffee afterwards you will know that you are going the right direction.
Good Luck and Keep us posted
