Filter Advice?

[minnnt]

I have play sand in one that seems fine, and Unipac in the other which seems to be bigger pieces but 'softer' ??? Strange i know. The play sand seems to cloud my water, but everyone else loves it. I will always use aquarium sand from now on.

Ensure you clean your filters three or four days after the setup as it will be pretty full of small sand particles that could harm your motor and impellor.

 

[Meggie :)]

Thanks so much! Will my dual top fin 60 filters survive for a while or should I invest in better ones? I personally want to stick with internal filters though. But if I stick with these filters I will use sponge instead of carbon...will this work?

 

[minnnt]

I ccan't really comment as i am not familiar with them. I would suggest externals always, but it is personal prefference. If you swap the carbon for sponge make sure the filters have plenty of bacteria stored in them and do it gradually over a period of time.

 

[Meggie :)]

Do what gradually over a period of time?

And besides the filters and air pumps is there anything else you suggest I have to make my tank better or is that good? Is the filter and air pump for my ten gallon fine as well?

 

[minnnt]

Change the carbon for sponge over a period of time so not to upset the biological process of the filter as this is where the 'good bacteria' live that keeps your water in check.

Air pumps aren't really of much use, the filter will have more benefit if you place it in the tank so that ot slightly ripples the surface which encourages oxygenation of your water.

 

[Meggie :)]

So I don't need a protein skimmer or anything?

 

[minnnt]

Not for tropical no, they're for marine setups.

 

[Meggie :)]

Oh that's good! Thanks for allyour help!

 

[minnnt]

Have fun!