Filter Media

[DB80]

Had my tank up and running for just over a month new to keeping fish but on the filter box says to change media every month is this the case if so is it a case of take old one out put new one in thanks for any help

 

[Akasha72]

No, leave the media alone. Ignore the filter instructions - it's a money making scam. You only need to change media when it's literally falling to bits. All you need to do is swish the sponges in some tank water now and then (generally when the filter starts to slow down or splutter - meaning a blockage)

Do you have any fish or are you fishless cycling right now?

 

[DB80]

No, leave the media alone. Ignore the filter instructions - it's a money making scam. You only need to change media when it's literally falling to bits. All you need to do is swish the sponges in some tank water now and then (generally when the filter starts to slow down or splutter - meaning a blockage)

Do you have any fish or are you fishless cycling right now?

Hi and thanks for the info yeh I have fish in it and two shrimps

 

[Akasha72]

okay, so your doing a fish in cycle then. Keep an eye on your water parameters and be ready to do water changes if the fish start to show signs of illness or start laying on the gravel or gasping at the waters surface. There's often ammonia and nitrite problems in your situation which is the only reason I mention it.

We're here if you need anymore help

Akasha

 

[DB80]

okay, so your doing a fish in cycle then. Keep an eye on your water parameters and be ready to do water changes if the fish start to show signs of illness or start laying on the gravel or gasping at the waters surface. There's often ammonia and nitrite problems in your situation which is the only reason I mention it.

We're here if you need anymore help

Akasha

Funny u should say that have one fish doing what u said don't have a test kit yet but got water tested at local shop and they said it was fine have done two 20% water changes in last two weeks should I do more

 

[Fintastic!]

Do you have a water test kit? If not you need to invest in one. You'll need to know your water readings. I wouldn't trust the lfs telling me my water is fine when your fish is struggling. You need more detail. Not the strips though, the guys here who have tried them say they're not worth a slap. The Api master test kit is a good one. You should definately be doing more water changes until you know your parameters. You may have ammonia which could be why your fish is struggling. Have you read up on cycling? Have a look at the beginners section on this forum, it's really helpful.
I'd do a large water change as soon as you can and maybe 20-30 percent change each day(I'm unsure if that's too much/little but I'm sure someone with more experience will correct me) until you get your test kit and then you can get on top of things.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Other test kits that work well are Nutrafin and Salifert.

You should be doing water changes every day until your tank is cycled, and I'd be doing 50%. Please click on my "New to Fishkeeping?" link below my sig and read up on fish-in cycling. Since your filter is not cycled, your fish are swimming around in their own pee and poo until you change the water and give them nice clean water. Always dechlorinate the water, and I suggest either Seachem Prime or StressCoat + because they do more than just dechlor. Use water that's very close to the temperature of the tank water to refill.

 

[DB80]

Ok thanks for the info it's just the one fish out of that seems to just float around the bottom or top not moving much hoe long dose it take to cycle the tank

 

[This Old Spouse]

It can take up to several weeks. If you know someone who has a long-established tank, you could ask them for some of the mature filter media to add to your tank, that way it might only take a few days. How big is your tank?

 

[DB80]

It can take up to several weeks. If you know someone who has a long-established tank, you could ask them for some of the mature filter media to add to your tank, that way it might only take a few days. How big is your tank?

It's just 30l to see how i get on got a bigger tank ready to go but waiting to see how the little one pans out

 

[This Old Spouse]

Even better for donated mature media! You wouldn't need much at all to cycle your tank, and it wouldn't affect the donor's media hardly at all. Where are you?

 

[DB80]

i am in aberdeen the north of scotland

 

[Akasha72]

Hi again DB80, just backing up what others have said. As your tank is new and there's no (or very little) beneficial bacteria in your filter there's a good chance you could get what's called 'new tank syndrome'. I had it in the beginning and people on here got me through it.
As already said you need to be doing 50%+ water changes daily, you'll notice a difference in the fish when you've done it. If you can find someone with a tank that's been running a while and they can give you a bit of their sponge - all the better.

Feed in small amounts - only what they can eat in less than a minute, if you have a syphon dig it into the bottom on the gravel when you do water changes to get as much ground in muck up as possible and the ammonia should start to come down.

Have a look on ebay or amazon for a liquid test kit as they're a lot cheaper than the lfs. They tend to be £20+ but last ages and you will need one over the coming months. I use the API master kit myself but as TOS said there's others just as good.

Anything above 0 for ammonia and nitrIte is bad for your fish and will either kill or perminately damage them.

Good luck with it

Akasha

 

[DB80]

went to do a water change to day a one of my shrimps has gone no where to be seen could it jump out the tank or would one of the othere fish eat it i have cherry barbs and platys in with them

 

[DB80]

Anyone have any advice if the fish could have eaten it