Best Filter Setups & Cleaning Routines

[This Old Spouse]

I have a 55g tank that I really like ... except for cleaning it! Now I have two biowheel filters. I try to do at least a 20% change each week, but was recently told I should be doing a 50% water change weekly, and a 90% about once a month.

I just did a 75% change that took me nearly two hours, so I'm trying to get a grip on the best techniques and filter setups that you more experienced fishkeepers have. Please!!

 

[KittyKat]

..was recently told I should be doing a 50% water change weekly, and a 90% about once a month.

Who told you this and why? I have rarely done over 25% water changes per week and my standard maintenance is clean the glass, give the pre-filter and polishing sponges a clean (which you don't have), then do 15-25% water change.

I am a believer in large water changes only as a solution to a problem, not a regular thing.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Who told you this and why? I have rarely done over 25% water changes per week and my standard maintenance is clean the glass, give the pre-filter and polishing sponges a clean (which you don't have), then do 15-25% water change.

I am a believer in large water changes only as a solution to a problem, not a regular thing.

I can't find where I saw the 90% water changes but I think it was OldMan47 who suggested it. At any rate, I'm still looking for the best filter setups for a 55g tank, whether it be internal or external and the advantages of either.

 

[KittyKat]

Who told you this and why? I have rarely done over 25% water changes per week and my standard maintenance is clean the glass, give the pre-filter and polishing sponges a clean (which you don't have), then do 15-25% water change.

I am a believer in large water changes only as a solution to a problem, not a regular thing.

I can't find where I saw the 90% water changes but I think it was OldMan47 who suggested it. At any rate, I'm still looking for the best filter setups for a 55g tank, whether it be internal or external and the advantages of either.

That's quite excessive, I'm surprised he said so.. unless it was a solution to some sort of problem you were having or you're doing some serious fertilising?

But if you are sure you need to do large water changes.. switch the filters off, fill a new and clean mister with tank water, drain the water down the drain with a hose (make sure the fish can not get into it), while misting the wheels of the filter to keep the bacteria nice and wet, add dechlorinator to the whole tank (enough to treat the whole tank), add water back from the tap with a hose (warming it up using your preferred method - kettle or hot tap), wait a few minutes (while still misting the wheels), then switch the filter back on, drain and rinse your mister. Done.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thanks. I've got the water changes down, although I do it quite a bit differently than you do.

Just looking for the types of filter setups folks are using. Mine doesn't seem to be doing the job as my water gets cloudy every few days and I'm not overfeeding.

 

[Rogue4Fish]

The tank will get cloudy if it's a new set up.

I've got an 89gal and I use a 405 and a U4. External and internal.

Probably something like a 405 or something simular woould provide plenty of filtration.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It's been set up since September.

I have a Penguin 330 and another used one that's about the same capacity but doesn't have the bio-wheels.

The water was beautifully clear until a couple of weeks ago, when I noticed the water getting cloudy, with a slight green tinge to it. So I did a smallish water change, probably about 25%, and that didn't clear the water a bit. So I posted my concern here and was told to do a 90% water change. It ended up being about 75-80% so my fish had something left to swim in, and that cleared the water for about a week. Then cloudy again. Friday I did about a 65% change, and that cleared it up for just a couple of days. Now cloudy again (although I can still see through it fine) and I just don't know what could be causing it! I thought maybe if I got a handle on what kind of filtration I should have, that might solve the problem. Running out of ideas.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I just found this on ebay. Opinions??

My link

 

[Monty-2010]

that looks like an all ponds solutions filter, they're pretty good i've got one on my rio 400

 

[KittyKat]

..it sounds more like a free swimming algae or bacterial problem. A new filter won't help there, try reducing lighting period by a few hours and check your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in tank and tap.

90% water change is normal procedure to deal with your problem, which is why it was suggested

What is your current lighting and how long is it on for?

p.s. if you change to a new filter, you will need to move non-biowheel media into the new filter and keep the biowheel running for 6 weeks in parallel while the bacteria grow in the new filter.