Some of my cichlids...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I kinda wonder if I switch to a black background, would it cause some more color to come out? Especially on the pearsi?
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I'd do it. Might not change there colors but black backgrounds look way better IMO.

Actually he's not. Rich adopted this fish from an animal shelter a couple of months ago, I think through the local fish club. It does look like he has scaring from an eariler bout with HITH, but as of now he looks real healthy. All of his fish and tanks looked good.
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Read my last post.

I'm going to disagree with you guys on the canister cleaning. The filter is the dirtist part of the tank. It's pulling the crud out of the display tank but it stays in the water column and breaks down. Even with over-bio filtration you're creating a nitrate factory. It's also a good idea to risne the bio media in a bucket of tank water. This will assist in keeping the bio media from clogging by removing any solids/debris that get past the mech filter - without hurting the bio.
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I said you don't need to clean them that often because he said maybe he should clean them every 2 weeks.
 
I was typing my post when your last post went up. For the canister cleaing I was refering to 3-4 months being good. Sure you can do it but it's not the best way to do it.
 
Canister cleaning also depends on how stocked you are and what additional filtration is in the tank. As far as nitrates, I clean sooner if I notice my nitrates are a bit high even with regular water changes.
I don't find that I have particularly high nitrates (always under 20) after a month or een two months of not cleaning my FX5, but that's my tank. Many other factors could lead to the filter needing to be cleaned sooner. But in general, I think once a month is a bit much for most people with an FX5. If you want to clean it more, you can.
Cleaning an FX5 is not one of my favorite activities. :D
 
Thanks, DC... and man, do I EVER appreciate you coming by. Maybe next time you come by, you'll grab a bite and have a beer or three?

Everybody else, thanks... Jiant2520... when it was suggested I try it, I thought "no friggin way that's gonna work". But the guy I know who suggested it has angel fish coming out of his ears... so I took it he knows a thing or two about angels. He gave 'em to me for free, and said just try it. So I did. And there it is... totally working! LOL... And its funny. I also put the large pellets in first. The angel knows this. So he just waits while the others go wild over the pellets. Then I add some flakes, and he gets his share... and will not allow anyone from preventing him to get his share! Then the cats... which stayed hidden while these pics were being taken... will come out and clean up what hit bottom!

-Rich
 
I also see no HITH on the Oscar. Adult oscars can get small little bumps on the "forehead" that can be mistaken for HITH, when it isn't. Unfortunately, we all know how prone to HITH oscars seem to be, especially when bought or adopted at larger sizes kept in poor conditions, so some amount of concern isn't a bad thing.
 
aclockworkorange;5114871; said:
Canister cleaning also depends on how stocked you are and what additional filtration is in the tank. As far as nitrates, I clean sooner if I notice my nitrates are a bit high even with regular water changes.
I don't find that I have particularly high nitrates (always under 20) after a month or een two months of not cleaning my FX5, but that's my tank. Many other factors could lead to the filter needing to be cleaned sooner. But in general, I think once a month is a bit much for most people with an FX5. If you want to clean it more, you can.
Cleaning an FX5 is not one of my favorite activities. :D
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Me either... but a local club member gave me a great workaround! I pop the top and rinse the foam right there in the canister with the water that is in there. Just shake it and squeeze it while submerged for a bit. Then I take my aquarium brush and scrub the sides. Next, I use the python to suck all of that dirty water right out of the canister! LOL... I use a cloth to wipe any remaining muck... though there usually is not much, and I refill with tank water, reconnect the tubes, and plug it in. Maybe 10 to 15 minutes or so, start to finish! I don't have to transport the thing to any sinks or any of that stuff!

I check the motor and tubes about once every 6 months or so. FX5 are THE BEST... although I am about to run a sump for the first time in my life on my other 125... so I'll see if I feel the same way in a few months! LOL...

-Rich
 
aclockworkorange;5114880; said:
I also see no HITH on the Oscar. Adult oscars can get small little bumps on the "forehead" that can be mistaken for HITH, when it isn't. Unfortunately, we all know how prone to HITH oscars seem to be, especially when bought or adopted at larger sizes kept in poor conditions, so some amount of concern isn't a bad thing.
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Agreed... but I will say that I was impressed with that animal shelter. The tank he was in was small... but it was barebottom, and the water was very clear. And there were indeed feeding him large pellets. I think he was there for about two months, before he came to my attention. It was quite a drive from my house, but the pic looked so good, and the adoption fee was a whopping $1! I had to make the trip. Needless to say, I was blown away with how good he looked. I have had him since February. So far, so good!

-Rich
 
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