Filter Advice And Another Point

[Johnny287]

Hi folks, I've had fish for around 3 years now, and I could do with some guidance. I have a 200 litre tank with the standard Fluval U4 internal filter that came with the tank. I have been wondering for some time now whether or not this is the best filter for the tank, as it seems to require an awful lot of maintenance, and I'm not 100% sure it's filtering as well as it could be. All levels are fine, as I do regular water checks, no problems as such, it just seems to not be picking up as much as some others I've seen in other tanks. I have in there currently - 1 6 inch gibbicep, 1 angel fish, 1 black ghost knife fish, 5 ghost cats, and then a collection of small tetras (platinum, neon and rummy noses). I have 4 live plants, and the temperature is kept constant around 75 degrees. I do weekly water changes of around 10-15%, though sometimes it goes a few days past a week.

My other issue is that for the past year, I have had a problem in that none of my fish are growing. I've had the BGKF for over 6 months now and he hasn't grown at all. I've had the gibbicep for almost a year and the same scenario, although he may have grown slightly. All fish seem to be pretty healthy, other than the fact that they don't really go crazy for food. They all eat, but most days they don't seem to be in any rush to get to it. Not sure if this can be helped by the filter or not.

Any advice people?

 

[fluttermoth]

Firstly; I do hope you realise that your tank is just not big enough for the fish you have; both the knife fish and the gibbiceps should grow to around two feet, adult length. It's possible that they're already being stunted from their unsuitable conditions.

Your U4 is a nice filter and for a 'normally' stocked tank it would be fine, but with the big, messy fish in there it won't be big enough. A large, external canister filter would better.

10-15% weekly water changes are nowhere near enough. Most fish excrete hormones into the water and once those hormones reach a certain level, the fish will stop growing; another reason your fish might have stopped growing. Do a few 30 or 40% changes; maybe twice a week for a couple of weeks.

You say your levels are fine, but I can't believe your nitrates aren't through the roof. High nitrates are not poisonous as such, but they will be making your fish feel 'under the weaher', which could explain their lack of appetite.

You need; to re-home the BGK and the gibbi (or get them a new tank with decent filtration) and up your water changes.

 

[KittyKat]

I find that external filters are easier to maintain and clean up the crap better.

The fish may be not growing for a number of reasons:
1. your tank is too small for some of them (what are the dimensions?)
2. the flow is not strong enough (what is the flow from the U4?)
3. your water quality is not up to scratch (you do not do much in terms of water changes)
4. you don't feed appropriate foods (what do you feed?)

I'm not sure if it's too late to do anything about the growth, but do try doing 30-40% water changes, get a decent external filter and a larger tank.

 

[Johnny287]

I realise that the tank may not be big enough for the two larger fish when they are fully grown, but at present, the gibbicep is only around 6 inches, and the BGKF is about 4 inches, so there should be plenty of space for them both at the moment. I had always thought that there may come a time when I needed a bigger tank in the future for them, but as they are not growing, that time doesn't appear to have arrived yet. In fairness, I had the problem before I got either of them, I had the same fish otherwise, and they weren't growing then either. I will try the water changes then, and see if that helps. If I have to get rid of a fish it would most likely be the gibbi, as he is one seriously messy little blighter. The knife fish hides away as I'm sure you all know during the day in his little cave, and only comes out at night, so unless he grows huge then he should be ok. Everything I have read on them, says that most of the time they don't reach more than 12-14 inches, which I'm sure this tank could accommodate.

 

[Johnny287]

kitty kat -

I'm not sure of the dimensions, but the tank is the standard Fluval 200, probably around 3 feet long? I feed them a variety of food - frozen and freeze dried bloodworm, some flakes, algae wafers and catfish pellets for the gibbi, as well as sweet potato which he seems to like. I was always told that 15% water changes would be sufficient. In fairness, looking at the tank, it's probably more like 20% that I do anyway, not 10-15%, but I'll try doing much bigger changes. I always thought that doing this would be too much, but I'll give it a try. Not sure what you mean by the flow of water? I have it pointed to the surface so the water is agitated.

Oh, and to answer the other point about nitrates, the levels are genuinely fine. I have tested everything, and regularly take samples into my local aquarium, and the levels are all spot on.

 

[fluttermoth]

I realise that the tank may not be big enough for the two larger fish when they are fully grown, but at present, the gibbicep is only around 6 inches, and the BGKF is about 4 inches, so there should be plenty of space for them both at the moment. I had always thought that there may come a time when I needed a bigger tank in the future for them, but as they are not growing, that time doesn't appear to have arrived yet.

You don't seem to understand that the reason they're not growing is because the tank is too small. If they were in a bigger tank, with more filtration and more water changes they would be growing.

the tank is the standard Fluval 200, probably around 3 feet long

If you seriously think that two fish which should grow to two feet long are ok in a three foot long tank, then there's really not much point in me trying to advise you of anything.

Everything I have read on them, says that most of the time they don't reach more than 12-14 inches, which I'm sure this tank could accommodate.

Even if that was true, which it is not, your tank is still only three times their length; how wide is your tank, 12 inches? 15? that's like confining two six foot tall men in a room 18 feet by six. I mean, come on.

At the very least, get them a 4 foot x 18 x 15 and a proper external filter and look after them while you look for a permanent home for them; a 6 x 2 x 2 and a couple of lager externals.

 

[Johnny287]

You seem to have a rather strange attitude? What is your problem? I asked a perfectly reasonable questions or two, and you reply in a pretty rude, dismissive way? I listened to your advice, and I thank you for your input, but there is absolutely no need for that attitude.

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm sorry, it just seemed you weren't understanding what I was saying.

Apologies; it's been a long week.

I still think my advice is sound though; I just want what's best for the fish, and for the members here to have happy, healthy tanks.

I'm sorry I didn't come over well.

 

[Johnny287]

No worries. Know what you mean about a long week, got told last week my job no longer exists, so pretty tough!

Appreciate the advice. I'll try the water changes, and chances are I'll end up rehoming the gibbi. Worst case scenario I'll rehome them both and maybe look at changing the filter.

 

[fluttermoth]

No worries. Know what you mean about a long week, got told last week my job no longer exists, so pretty tough!

ouch; I'm sorry; hope something turns up.

Appreciate the advice. I'll try the water changes, and chances are I'll end up rehoming the gibbi. Worst case scenario I'll rehome them both and maybe look at changing the filter.

excellent, that sounds way better; best of luck

 

[minnnt]

I think the Roma 200's are 3 and a half foot long. Ideally you would need the 240 which comes with an extremely easy to maintain fluval 305 external filter. This can also be upgraded to the 405 as a straight swap with the same fittings. The 200 is very deceiving, in the flesh as it appears to be quite a big tank, and it would be if it was stocked with suitable fish. Personally, and I know its hard, I would rehome both the bgk and gibbiceps, they're too big ultimately for the tank and it will stunt their growth. I would keep the u4 running and try and source a cheap 305/405 external filter and run both together for a few months then remove the u4 when the external has cycled. This will also give more tank space as the u4's are bulky filters.

This size tank would lend itself nicely to Angels, a nice trio of dwarf cichlids and a nice size shoal of a bigger tetra such as the columbian red fin tetras.

 

[Johnny287]

I think the Roma 200's are 3 and a half foot long. Ideally you would need the 240 which comes with an extremely easy to maintain fluval 305 external filter. This can also be upgraded to the 405 as a straight swap with the same fittings. The 200 is very deceiving, in the flesh as it appears to be quite a big tank, and it would be if it was stocked with suitable fish. Personally, and I know its hard, I would rehome both the bgk and gibbiceps, they're too big ultimately for the tank and it will stunt their growth. I would keep the u4 running and try and source a cheap 305/405 external filter and run both together for a few months then remove the u4 when the external has cycled. This will also give more tank space as the u4's are bulky filters.

This size tank would lend itself nicely to Angels, a nice trio of dwarf cichlids and a nice size shoal of a bigger tetra such as the columbian red fin tetras.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely consider the idea of rehoming them both, as much as I don't want to! I was also wondering how you actually cycle the new filter, but that answers my question then if you simply use both for a while. Cheers for that.

 

[minnnt]

Yeah, run both at once so that the new external has chance to cycle without harming your fish by doing a fish-in cycle. It's messy, but you can rinse your U4's media in the tank so that the external filter sucks up the gunk which will help no end. Then simply remove the U4 and bob's ya mothers brother!

 

[Johnny287]

Yeah, run both at once so that the new external has chance to cycle without harming your fish by doing a fish-in cycle. It's messy, but you can rinse your U4's media in the tank so that the external filter sucks up the gunk which will help no end. Then simply remove the U4 and bob's ya mothers brother!

This sort of thing?

 

[KittyKat]

The Fluval 305 is nice, but I think the Eheim Classic range are nicer