newbie questions...

[aqua30]

i have a 38 gallon tank with one red belly piranha. i bought a rena xp1 2 weeks ago, and i have no problems with the filter.

my questions are:

1)how do you keep your water crystal clear?
2)is it normal when the water smells different?its not really a foul odor. if its not normal, what can i do to get rid of the smell?
3)i saw this eheim surface extractor at big als, will this fit my xp1? is this really useful? how do you clean surface sludge?
thanks!

 

[tyl089]

i'm wondering if the smell is kind of "earthy"? if it is, then it's normal and shows your tank is mature and well cycled. any other smell especially strong sharp ones that irritate your nose is bad and you need to test your water parameters. As for water cleaniness, good filtration with carbon and reg. water changes is a must especially if you are new to the hobby to establish good habits early and don't over feed and finally: WELCOME TO MFK.

 

[RTCatz]

I'd use carbon or replace it with a fine sponge or filter floss to trap small debris. If you want to get rid of bad odors make water changes or use carbon and use the advice from previous post welcome btw

 

[Newt]

I've noticed that running the Filstars alone won't get your water "crystal clear". If you add a HOB, like a Penguin, it will pick up all those tiny floaties the Rena misses.

I don't know about the Eheim surface extractor, but I've heard that the AquaClear surface skimmers fit the Rena Filstars.

 

[CORVETTE]

If your feeding feeders, raw meat or shrimp to anything do alot of water changes they are very messey and can foul up a good tank really fast. i find i do about twice as much work on my predator tanks as to my pellet fed tanks.

 

[shookONES]

I know my Eheim canister isn't very good at keeping the water crystal clear. Granted, it does keep my parameters in check. I'm going to get an Aquaclear 110 for my 50g. That should solve the problem nicely.

 

[aqua30]

thank you for all your advice! i do water changes once a week, feed my piranha krills. i will try to get a HOB and see what happens from there. will adding the ceramic rings and etc, help?


thanks again everyone!