External Filter Help

[raptorrex]

im new to this and need a bit of help
i have a hydro prime 30 filter and want to change the filter contents as most are old and also im not sure if what i am using is right for my fish.
currently i have a cause filter in the bottom section, inside is another cource filter on top of that is cake shaped (solid tubes of ceramic) on top of that is cource iregular pummis then charcoal topped off with a fine filter material. need advice on what i should have.

next problem is how to protect the inlet tube as i have had to fix a bodge to stop it taking in fish (no it aint a joke)

finaly what sort of outlet fixing should i get.

my setup is:

clearseal 48x24x13 tank
hyrdro prime 30 filter
12" airstone + 12 air curtin
a fair number of plants.
fine gravel base.
around 28 fish
plecs 3 (young) 2 albino 1 black mottled all common i think
catfish 5 (red tail sharks 2, cory 2 and one bigger one (oops dont know the name)
silver dollers 2
angel fish 2
silver shark 1
grami 2
pigmy grami 2
molli 2
tiger barbs 2
rock shrimp 2
glass catfish 1
sucking loach 1
swordtail 1
rainbow?? not sure about this one

 

[d3tained]

You tank size? is that in CM ???

 

[raptorrex]

lol no sorry inches

 

[raptorrex]

still need some help here guys. im lost

 

[andywg]

The filter media seems alright, and you can buy inlet strainers for pipes from most stores. If you did want to change the filter setup I always have my filters run through (occasionally) sponge then fliter floss and then a healthy does of biological media (such as ceramic media with plenty of surface area).

You will find that before long you will have to address the stocking of the tank.

Silver sharks grow larger than a foot and need to be in groups of 5 (looking at a 72x24x24 tank minimum for them in the long term).

Red Tail Sharks are not catfish, but cyprinids. Keeping more than one in anything less than 100 gallons is very iffy and usually ends in fights. Keeping more than 1 and less than 5 alos tends to lead to trouble and fighting.

Plecs can grow large. There are some that top out at as little as a couple of inches, but a number grow past a foot and towards 18".

The tiger barbs will appreciate a group and tend to be nippy if not kept in shoals.

Glass catfish should also be kept in groups.

 

[raptorrex]

@andywg thanks for the post. it is becomming clear that the advice given by many shops has more to do with sales than fish health lol
i did know about the size plecs grow 3 fish was an accident, my wife and i came back on the same day with 3 between us. smugly i only bought one.
the problem with the silver shark has become apparent recently the red shark problem is new to me. and err which of my fish is the alo?