I honestly don't think you need that much filtration. Do a water change, monitor water quality and you will know what your filtration can handle and how often to do water changes. Monitor as the fish get bigger because they produce more waste. A five gallon bucket filled with lava rock probably has more surface area than one of those filters that cost hundreds of dollars and if not just get a ten gallon bucket.
New member and new Arowana owner
- Thread starter slv3rarowana
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I honestly don't think you need that much filtration. Do a water change, monitor water quality and you will know what your filtration can handle and how often to do water changes. Monitor as the fish get bigger because they produce more waste. A five gallon bucket filled with lava rock probably has more surface area than one of those filters that cost hundreds of dollars and if not just get a ten gallon bucket.
You are right as for the surface of the 5 gallon bucket having more than one of those high end ones and also they are rated for far more than what they can actually cycle as far as gallons per hr. But I will do that as well, I am alwats on top of all my tanks keeping an eye on them. Testing them constantly to make sure and reading up all I can when I can to learn more. Either way, I am open for any inputs. Its very appreciate it.
my guess would be the bacteria colonies are still getting established. Adding bacteria works depending on the product (some don't work), then if it's a good one, its can take a few weeks for the population of bacteria to stabilize to right level for the fish in the tank. Water changes will help with cloudiness but also can make the cycle take longer. Not a bad idea though, just watch levels. If you have no ammonia and nitrite, and the nitrates are steadily rising, the cycle worked. then you just do WC's to keep nitrate down, basically
Something I forgot to mention, when your fish get bigger just get one of those big plastic totes and fill that with lava rock/bio balls/sponges. You can also add a pothos or algae nitrate scrubber but I don't have any experience with that.
What if the Nitrates are not rising ? Man i have to learn so much. I honestly have bo clue how everything or to be honest most of it works. I have so much to learn. Everything is very steady and mostly perfect.
Could you elaborate more cause I don’t understand why I should do this.
As an add on filter or as a reserve for a bew tabk startup?
If nitrates are not rising, it could just be that the tank is not that heavily stocked and the fish aren't making enough waste for you to see nitrates. More likely is that the cycle didn't work or isn't complete. Check your nitrites and ammonia. If you have any of either of those, the tank is cycling still. Which would explain the cloudiness as well.
this is the basics- https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/what-is-cycling.702760/
Well I actually just checked the tabk where I have my Tiger Oscars and the NITRITE was so high that idk if they are going to make it through the nigt. I am so pissed, I smdid a water change and something happened where it freaking skyrocketed. Man I feel like crab just thinking that some of my pets might not make it through the night.
They have been sitting is 5.0 ppm NITRITE for a few hrs. Lets hope they make it through the night.
As for my Arowana tank, I believe is going throught the cycle. The Amonia is a bit high but everything else is looking good so I am doig a partial water change to make sure nothing rises too much over the next 12 hrs over night.
It is 12 am here where I am at and slowly pouring the water in as I ad water safe or something that to make the water safe for the fishes. Hope y’all having a great night.
