Fluval Chi 5 Gallon Questions

[attibones]

Hello, everyone. I've had a Fluval Chi (5 gallon) for a few months now, and I'm having a few complaints about the filtration.

This tank houses one veil tail betta (King) and a nerite snail (Snelly). I don't need tons of filtration, but it seems that every time I do a water change (70% weekly, including what I deem thorough gravel cleaning), all this junk is floating around in the water for about an hour or two after I add the fresh water. It's like I but can't get the stupid thing clean. I haven't tested the water today, but I know that the gunk is possibly adding ammonia to the water. Sadly, I knew nothing of the nitrogen cycle when I got the thing, so I don't even know if the media is mature.

Is there any way I can add more power to the filtration?
Is this junk dangerous to King and Snelly?
Should I do more water changes weekly, instead of one large one on Saturdays?

Please help, as my poor King is sitting in a betta cup until his water clears up a bit. Thanks, guys.

 

[Livewire88]

The junk you are talking about is likely to be caused as a result of the substrate being disturbed when you pour the fresh water in, the bits that you are not collecting with the gravel vac are just floating about. I would not worry about it to much, as long as you stick to your weekly water changes you should be fine. 
 
However if you notice large pieces of debris catch them in a net before they settle back to the bottom of the tank. If the tank has been running for a few months the filter "should" be cycled so the bio load that is created by your Betta and snail will be dealt with fine. 
 
How about posting some pictures of you tank for us to see 

 

[attibones]

What I don't understand is that my ten gallon betta tank with gravel doesn't do this. The gravel is nearly spotless. Thais tank has been running since October. I can put the vacuum end of my siphon deep into the gravel, and the only thing I get is a little detritus, maybe a forgotten piece of food.

I took a picture, but I then realized you probably wanted to see how gross the water looks after adding the clean water. By the time I read this, the stuff had already settled.

When I add clean water to any of my tanks, there is some stuff that floats, but not nearly to the degree of this five gallon. It looks like someone spilled a container of curry into the tank right after a water change, actually.

 

[MBOU]

Unfortunately its just a big flaw of the tank design. Weak filters set right at the top of a tall narrow tank,... they dont actually take out any dirt...
 
I had one of each size running with a pair of rosy barbs in (small i know but they were happy and and spawning and i had babies from them!)... and I fed 3 times a week, changed 50-70% of the water with RO water every 2--3 weeks and took everything out and scrubbed it.
 
You cant really keep real plants in the tanks as it doesnt have any lighting for the plants and the water pushing downwards wouldnt help...  But i had plastic plants in there (actually I had cryptocorynes in there too) and had no problems.
 
Personally... I would never buy the tanks but... if i did, i would rip off that whole unit and get a little HOB filter and clip on light.

 

[fluttermoth]

I think you should up your water changes/gravel cleans, maybe 20% a day, until it's sorted, and look at getting an alternative filter, as MBOU suggests.
 
Sorry to disagree with you, Livewire, but I think this sounds worse than you first thought!

 

[Livewire88]

Just had a look at the tank design!! wow I assumed it would at least have a pick up pipe reaching half way down the tank, like the Fluval Edge tanks do. 
 
Maybe the HOB filter that is used with the Fluval Edge tank could be fitted to the Chi?

 

[fluttermoth]

It is a bit of a rubbish design; I had a look at one a few months back when they had one set up at my LFS.
 
Genius idea about the Edge filter; my son's got an Edge, so let me know it you want measurements at all, OP

 

[MBOU]

It could be if the whole unit is removed from the Chi which means a new light would be needed too
Not a great picture but this one has a HOB and new light...
 
http/www.plantedtank.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68657&stc=1&d=1358484334
 
EDIT: Sizewise, the fluval edge HOB fits the Chi tanks fine

 

[attibones]

I bought the tank for thirty dollars (I'm a super discount hunter ), so I thought it would do well as a betta. I like the gentle flow. I like the unique design. I like the fountain effect over the top basket. However, I have had to buy two heaters for the tank and a new lid because it evaporates so quickly I have to add fresh water every other day. Usually I just top off a bit. It also has problems staying warm. I have similar models of the heaters I purchased for the tank and they all do really well, so I know it is the tank. I should have done more research before purchasing, but I loved the way it looks. Now it just makes me mad.

I didn't know the Edge filters could be sold separately. If budget allows, I'll see if I can't find one. My LFS is limited to a PetsMart next door to my house and a pretty good fish store (they also have birds, reptiles, and small mammals but fish take up eighty percent of the store) which is thirty minutes away. Are these filters readily available in the average LFS?

Also, if I can't find one, or if my budget does not allow for a new filter, is there anything I can do in the meantime, apart from the obvious more frequent water changes.

If I get a Fluval Edge filter, will the filter media from the Chi work in this tank? If it doesn't, I will have to find some other way to jump start the cycle.

It could be if the whole unit is removed from the Chi which means a new light would be needed too
Not a great picture but this one has a HOB and new light...
 
http/www.plantedtank.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68657&stc=1&d=1358484334
 
EDIT: Sizewise, the fluval edge HOB fits the Chi tanks fine

I like the way that tank looks. Wonder what sort of filter and light that is.

 

[fluttermoth]

I think if you just do more water changes, you'll be ok.