Filter Change

[phishy07]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and have a quick question about filter changes!
Got a new tank about 2 months ago. the fish that are in the tank are all happy (touch wood) got 4 mollies (1 male) four corys, 1 pleco, 3 blind cave fish, two sword tails, one male and one spotted climbing perch (called psycho)
It is a 25 gallon tank with a fluval 3 pump/filter i was wondering how often you need to change the filter pads as i have heard all about the bacteria and not to change both, heard all kinds of stories but not sure what to believe not so sure even the pet shop knows. they told us to change both pads at the same time but to leave them soaking in a tub of old tank water for a week before changing them.
any help would be great. thanks in advance.

 

[rdd1952]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

In answer to your question, you don't need to change filter media, sponges, etc. unless they are literally falling apart. The filter companies tell you to change them every so often because if you don't change them, they aren't selling anything. You are correct that the beneficial bacteria are on the filter media so changing sponges means you are throwing your bacteria away. When you do maintenance on your filter, simply swish the sponges in a bucket of dechlorinated water to remove the junk from them. Ceramic rings or what evey else you have in the filter can easily be rinsed in a bucket of dechlorinated water too.

You said you had your tank for 2 months so I will throw this out. That is a lot of fish for a 25 gallon tank. With the filter you have, you should be fine as it will process the water about 7 times an hour. But you do have a messy fish in the pleco that can grow to 2 feet long (if it's a common pleco) and also have 4 female livebearers so you can expect fry every week. Your tank could quickly become very crowded. Also, the mollies really aren't good tankmates for the other fish as they prefer brackish water and the others don't.

 

[Musho3210]

yeah, get rid of the pleco.... why does every beginner have one, i hate petstores that sell them to people like you. Your not at fault, its stupid pet stores and fish catchers.

 

[phishy07]

Originally set up tank with 4 mollies and plec, quite a few friends with tanks advised on these as well. Pets at home was quite strict with selling them though, had to keep taking water in to be checked until it was right. So assumed they knew a lot about fish. Didnt mention brackish water to us though? Also told a fish per gallon as the fish i have dont really grow much bigger, except plec and perch??
thanks

 

[rdd1952]

Also told a fish per gallon as the fish i have dont really grow much bigger, except plec and perch??

Actually the quide is 1 INCH of fish (adult size) per gallon of water. If you think about it, you couldn' put 10 goldfish of 10" long each in a 10 gallon tank. With smaller fish, extra filtration and a good maintenance schedule, you can easily exceed that guide but it's a good aid for newbies in getting a tank set up and running without problems. Most of the more experienced members here are well over 1" per gallon.

You will need to start looking for a larger tank or to rehome the pleco and perch very soon. It won't take long before they outgrow your tank or their growth is stunted.

 

[phishy07]

so tank would be spot on without plec or perch?

 

[rdd1952]

Even without them, you still have an issue with the mollies needing salt in their water (brackish). Even lot of mollies can grow to 4 or 5 inches so they will also get quite large for your tank.

 

[gowing238]

Hey there. Dont worry i wont be lecturing you on your fish selection. In my opinion if you and your fish are happy thats your business! To be hounest there are a lot of people on here who find fault with anything people do!

I have a fluval 3 and have done so for three months. I dont intend changing sponges until they are falling to bits. And when i do i will only change one at a time. I just give them a quick rinse in a bucket of water i have taken from the tank when i water change. Dont go overboard squeezing or anything. Mucky sponges are good sponges!

Hope that answers your original question! LOL!

 

[rdd1952]

In my opinion if you and your fish are happy thats your business! To be hounest there are a lot of people on here who find fault with anything people do!

It's not that I am finding fault. I am just pointing out to someone new in the hobby that some of the fish will get large and may not be compatibile. I would rather tell him/her this now so that plans can be made to remedy the problems.

 

[kittycat12]

i believe that doing a bit of research before going to purchase fish helps a lot

 

[-SPB-]

Pets at home was quite strict with selling them though, had to keep taking water in to be checked until it was right.

Must say, this surprises me, your local pets at home must have someone who knows something about fish working for them as pets at home here get a real grilling. My local one is a bit of a joke, they've currently got 3 elephant noses in there, and one of the assistants said a 2ft tank would be ideal. If your a big petstore chain, that sells livestock, surely it would be benificial to have people who know what they are talking about working there???

 

[kittycat12]

i must say. if its a big box store say like wal-mart. guaranteed. there is not going to many if any employees ( other then basic training from some manual) that know what they're doing. if its a regular pet store. then say "what the heck?". rememeber these people are probably getting paid minimum wage. so most don't give a crap.