NEW but DIRTY filter cartridge

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

JEAE21

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 19, 2007
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Hi, It's been a week since I started up my whisper in-tank filter 40i.
I just got a new one(same type) and decided to use the new filter system but continue to use the filter cartridges.

So I take it out and OHMYGOD!!:eek: the WHITE cartrige is all GRAY and dirty!!
it's only been what..7 or 8 days??!!!!:confused:

I usualy feed my turtle in a separate tub but since it is a new tank, I tried to get the bacteria level up by feeding him in the aquarium and not picking up the food scraps.. BUT STILL! it can't get this dirty can it?? I mean the water that I rinsed the cartridge off looks like sewage water..:yuck:

This is just my thought; but the reason my new aquarium water is cloudy is because the filter cartridges can't take in any more waste?? I mean the cartridge looked to me as if it has millions of bacteria.. Why didn't my tank clear up? This is:bs:

The tank is a 40gallon breeder and it's only 3/4 filled...
From today I will be feeding him in a separate tub and scoop his feces AS SOON as he does his thing..:redface:

What is wrong with my filter cartridge though? Do they get THIS dirty so fast? I mean when is my tank gonna turn crystal clear?:(
 
Yep...this is one of the main reasons that I told you on the other thread that you need a LOT larger filter system on your set up. Adding a second filter of the same type will double your capacity. (You might get 8 days before they stop doing anything at all...) If you want crystal clean water your going to need more capacity....Rena Xp2...Fluval 305...ehiem 2215....something along those lines.
 
Filters can only handle so much.... and if it gets dirty that fast, it means two things. One, it's doing the job right, and Two, you have way too much bioload in that tank.
 
Leaving the food scraps in the tank is only going to make your turtle sick. Believe me, he'll poop enough to keep the bacteria levels up there.
 
So there is enough bacteria in my new tank right?
I'll probably install the other 40i in the tank too then..

on normal aquariums with FISH, how long does it take for the white cartridges to turn gray?
 
Congratulations, you've just found out how dirty turtles are...

I have two yellow bellied sliders in a 125g with 3 rena xp3 canister filters and a rena hang on back and they still get nasty.
 
it definitely doesn't take long for a filter's media to turn gray - It's what it's supposed to do.
 
you can't visibly see the bacteria on the filters, unless you have a microscope and you know how to prepare slides. they're teeny-tiny invisible.
 
haha yes i did found out how messy turtles are..

hey what would the gallon size equal when you have your 3 rena xp filter things.. how many gallons can it treat?
Do you put all 3 of them in the same spot?
 
Oh, I am seeing tinytiny white-ish particles drifting in the tank but what is it?
 
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