External Filter Intake Tube Cleaning

[new2fishes]

I have a whisper 20 for my 10 gallon tank that seems to be doinging the job pretty well despite me and the LFS efforts. Unfortunately I depended on them instead of doing research. After spending unnecessary money on things I shouldn't have bought, I think maybe i have the tank where I need it, maybe. Anyway, I have green stuff growing in the intake tube (algea?) is this beneficial or not? So do I need to clean this out or leave it alone and how do I do so? I know if I ask at the LFS they will point me to something else I "need" to buy.

Also, the bacteria in the filter, is it the slimy stuff on the inside of the filter or is it only in the filter media? and if carbon is not great, and those goofy white rocks that remove the ammonia are even worse then what should be put in the little bio-bags? Gravel from the bottom of the tank? I know this sounds sarcastic but with my limited knowledge this really doesn't sound like a bad idea. The way I see it, benificial bacteria grow in the gravel at the bottom so why not in the filter media.

I am thinking of maybe adding a sponge (like the one in the DIY section) just to help prevent mini-cycles but still am mulling it over. I don't know of any reason that this would be a bad idea but I probably don't know enough about it.

Thanks,
Christi

 

[rabbut]

I have a whisper 20 for my 10 gallon tank that seems to be doinging the job pretty well despite me and the LFS efforts. Unfortunately I depended on them instead of doing research. After spending unnecessary money on things I shouldn't have bought, I think maybe i have the tank where I need it, maybe. Anyway, I have green stuff growing in the intake tube (algea?) is this beneficial or not? So do I need to clean this out or leave it alone and how do I do so? I know if I ask at the LFS they will point me to something else I "need" to buy.

It is nither benificial or detrimental. Unless it has clogged or is about to clogg the filter, I would'nt bother cleaning the alge off.

Also, the bacteria in the filter, is it the slimy stuff on the inside of the filter or is it only in the filter media?

The slime in the filter will contain some bactiria, so again, unless it appears to be about to block the media, I would advise leaving it.

and if carbon is not great, and those goofy white rocks that remove the ammonia are even worse then what should be put in the little bio-bags? Gravel from the bottom of the tank?

Gravel will work as a biological filter, but there are better medias out there for the job you whish it to do.

I am thinking of maybe adding a sponge (like the one in the DIY section) just to help prevent mini-cycles but still am mulling it over.

Sponge, IMO is one of the best filter medias available, and for a general filter application, would be my media of choise. As you pointed out though, if you change/clean all of you media, you put the tank into a mini cycle or in some cases, a full cycle. If cycles are to be avoided, it is best to phase it the new media, quater at a time. Use test kits to monitor progress. The next quater of media can be introduced when all ammonia and nitrite tests read zero. Any value above 0.25ppm would warrent a waterchange to bring the ammount of these toxic wastes down. Test twice dayly when you are changing the media.
HTH
rabbut

 

[new2fishes]

Thanks so much rabbut.

Gravel will work as a biological filter, but there are better medias out there for the job you whish it to do.

What would work better? I hate to ask at my LFS because I have been steered wrong too often.

Sponge, IMO is one of the best filter medias available, and for a general filter application, would be my media of choise. As you pointed out though, if you change/clean all of you media, you put the tank into a mini cycle or in some cases, a full cycle. If cycles are to be avoided, it is best to phase it the new media, quater at a time. Use test kits to monitor progress. The next quater of media can be introduced when all ammonia and nitrite tests read zero. Any value above 0.25ppm would warrent a waterchange to bring the ammount of these toxic wastes down. Test twice dayly when you are changing the media.

What I was thinking was run both and then alternate which one gets cleaned/changed, then there would always be a good bacterial colony. I don't know though. I am mainly just hoping to avoid causeing problems from changing the filter and not having the new filter cycled in.
Thanks again,
Christi

 

[rabbut]

Thanks so much rabbut.
What would work better? I hate to ask at my LFS because I have been steered wrong too often.

Either sponge or ceramic rings, the tyoe with the holes in them, are good medias.

What I was thinking was run both and then alternate which one gets cleaned/changed, then there would always be a good bacterial colony. I don't know though. I am mainly just hoping to avoid causeing problems from changing the filter and not having the new filter cycled in.

Changing filters is quite simple. Replanish the old filters chemical absorbers, and run the new filter along side. Towards the end of the chemical medias expected life, watertest twice dayly. As the media slowly gets "used up" bactiria form in the new filter. This small colonie cannot grow large enough to support a full stocking of fish, but grows large enough to support a few, while the other filter is still running. Then, when the old filters chemical media is full, the ammount of ammonia it absorbs is reduced, and the bactiria colonie in the new filter grows to compensate. Eventualy, the chemical media will become saturated, and the fishes water is being filtered by the new filter only. Or so is the theory. The worst case senario with this changeover, is a mini cycle. This is not too major, as the bactiria are already formed, and are able to double in numbers every 12 hours. Within a few days, they will be in sufficient numbers to support the fish load.
HTH
rabbut