Fish Water Probs

[jamcon]

HI ALL, MY TANK IS DRIVING ME MAD. I HAVE A 7 FOOT TANK, 3 FT HIGH, AND RECENTLY CHANGED FROM GRAVEL TO SAND, SO GOT RID OF MY UNDERGRAVEL FILTER AND BOUGHT A CASCADE 700 EXTERNAL FILTER, AND THE WATER IS TERRIBLE UNTIL I CHANGE THE FILTER AND ITS FINE FOR 3 DAYS AND THEN BITS ARE FLOATING AROUND THE TANK AGAIN! I PUT A POWER HEAD IN THE OPPOSITE CORNER TO THE EXTERNAL TO HELP FLOW BUT NOT HELPED MUCH. I HAVE BEEN INTO FISH FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND PRIDE MY TANK ON THE CLARITY OF THE WATER, I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH EXTERNALS BEFORE AND THE WATER IS BREAKING MY HEART TO LOOK AT. PLEASE ADVISE. STEPHEN

 

[fergalthefish]

you need to post this in the proper section then you get more help.

 

[Rob.S]

Did you wash the sand before putting it in the tank?

Oh, and you might want to turn off the "CAPS LOCK", some people (not me) get very uptight about posts in capitals - as it's considered to be 'shouting'

 

[jamcon]

Did you wash the sand before putting it in the tank?

Oh, and you might want to turn off the "CAPS LOCK", some people (not me) get very uptight about posts in capitals - as it's considered to be 'shouting'

yes the sand was washed, this is a problem thats been going on for 6 months so i know its not the sand .

you need to post this in the proper section then you get more help.

i tried the site wont let me??

 

[Rob.S]

OK. All I can think of is that the filter media isn't trapping the particles, which are then being pumped straight back into the tank. So....

1... Check that the media is where it should be.
2... Presumably there is a white pad of filter floss on the top, this might be clogged.

 

[jamcon]

OK. All I can think of is that the filter media isn't trapping the particles, which are then being pumped straight back into the tank. So....

1... Check that the media is where it should be.
2... Presumably there is a white pad of filter floss on the top, this might be clogged.

i thought the same so i doubled the filter sponges at my last change, and the water was fine for 3 days, then back to normal! my filter has a tower of 4 cartridges, course at bottom, followed by 3 sponges. im thinking it simply cant cope with my tank but it says it does 700 litresm my tank is 600 ! ??
regrds,styephen

 

[Rob.S]

Ah, we may have found the problem. I've checked the spec for this filter, it says suitable for a 300l tank, and pumps at 750 l/hr.

Filter spec here

So, maybe with a 600l tank, your filter can't cope.

 

[jamcon]

Ah, we may have found the problem. I've checked the spec for this filter, it says suitable for a 300l tank, and pumps at 750 l/hr.

Filter spec here

So, maybe with a 600l tank, your filter can't cope.

NO MY FILTER IS A CASCADE 1500, SO IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH. I CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND THOUGH JUST HOW ITS SUPPOSED TO PICK UP THE FISH WASTE WHEN THE FILTER SITS A FOOT ABOVE THE SAND??

 

[rabbut]

Herd a lot of negative feedback on users of this make and model, they have high by-pass. Basicaly, the water flows arround the media instead of through it. Poor choice of filter I'm afraid. If possible, see if you can't take it back and get an Eheim or Tetratec instead, or any decent exturnal for that matter (i.e. not fluval, rena, aquaone e.t.c)

All the best
Rabbut

 

[pica_nuttalli]

Also, are you sure that your tank is just 600 liters? I did the math and a 7ft x 3ft 600L tank would only be 1ft wide. That's some pretty unusual dimensions...

Another thought: do you have the intake and outputs of the filter set up at different ends of the tank?

In any case, I second the motion to buy another (better) cannister. Get a large Eheim and set them both up in the tank.

 

[seanie112]

mine the same in our jewel 190ltr
the ex filter we have can run a 600 ltr tank its fine for couple days then its not clear wiered in it
we have a power head in there and now put in a in filter as well
thinking abt buying another ex filter see if that works mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[maximinimus]

From the reviews I have seen the Penn Plax canisters are absolute rubbish, never clearing the water correctly.

I agree with rabbut about Tetratec or Eheim.

I've had two Tetratec filters, my new one had a manufacturing fault and Tetratec sent me a new motor head straight away, their customer service is second to none!

For a 600l tank I would look at getting one or two Tetratec Ex2400, that way you will have 4/8x water circulation.

 

[seanie112]

sounds good m8

 

[rabbut]

Two EX1200's would work out cheaper if the EX2400 is still at the price it was when I looked at them... You also get redundancy then, as if one fails, you aren't left filterless.

Last time I looked the EX1200's were £70 delivered, and the EX2400's were £270

Just my thoughts...

HTH
Rabbut

 

[seanie112]

u can get them cheaper then that m8
Tetratec Ex2400 £162.95

but i wld get the Fluval fx5 aquarium filter get them for around 140.00 with postage if u look