Glowlight Tetra

[minnnt]

This is where i slip up... i have always done it this way and have never had any issues, but recently it was brought to my attention by Fluttermoth and Kitty Kat that this is not the case. Something which i couldn't get my head around so gave up in the end.

The general way to do it is to add roughly a 1/3 of your matured filter media to your new filter... This should theoretically mean that you can add a 1/3 of your current stock straight away.

 

[Ruskull]

This is where i slip up... i have always done it this way and have never had any issues, but recently it was brought to my attention by Fluttermoth and Kitty Kat that this is not the case. Something which i couldn't get my head around so gave up in the end.

The general way to do it is to add roughly a 1/3 of your matured filter media to your new filter... This should theoretically mean that you can add a 1/3 of your current stock straight away.

How can I possibly know how much 1/3 of the "media" is? If I try to scrape off some of the gunk (media) won't that kill some of it just doing that alone?

My biggest mistake was throwing the old cartridge out. I would imagine that had quite a bit of media on it since it was clogged. It makes sense that putting that cartridge, or at least part of it, into the new filter would've sped up the process.

 

[minnnt]

Media is the sponges rather than the mulm.

How many cartidges are in it? The only time when it is neccessary to replace filter media is if it is falling apart in your hands... Decent media will last for years and years.

 

[sylros]

Media is the sponges rather than the mulm.

How many cartidges are in it? The only time when it is neccessary to replace filter media is if it is falling apart in your hands... Decent media will last for years and years.

Doesn't the carbon stop working after a while? I also made the mistake of completely replacing my cartridge when I could have just replaced the stuff inside...these are TopFin brand which consists of a pouch filled with carbon...this you assemble yourself...Anyway, I've just replaced a filter so I've gone through this...if the cartridge fits, I would use that one or put it in the 2nd compartment, and wait a few weeks until the new filter has cycled. I have to wait 6 weeks for this, so probably be the same for you.

 

[minnnt]

If you replace the whole cartirdge then you are effectively removing all your bacteria which means you will have to cycle again. Obviously you already have the fish in your tank so this can be potentially fatal to them. This is why seeding a new filter with SOME already cycled media is beneficial.

Carbon stops doing what it is claimed to do after a few days so you would have to replace it on a weekly basis. It will continue to remove medication and soak up tannins though. Many people just remove it from their filters before use as it is that useless. Extra media such as bio balls, ceramic rings, sponges or filter floss would be of more use.

 

[Ruskull]

Media is the sponges rather than the mulm.

How many cartidges are in it? The only time when it is neccessary to replace filter media is if it is falling apart in your hands... Decent media will last for years and years.

The only thing in my Penguin bio wheel filter is the cartridge and the original bio wheel filter. I have 2 slots though, should I add something to the other slot? I've been told I can add another cartridge or maybe a peat cartridge. Should I put a sponge in instead?

 

[Ruskull]

Update:

I just did a 1/3 water change with AquaSafe. The pH is 7.1 or so without adding any pH Down. I'm going to skip the high range pH test for now. The ammonia level is still not quite yellow but very slightly toward the .25 ppm mark, I'd say it's about .1 - .15 which pisses me off since I just did a pretty big water change. Arghhhh!

Now the nitrite level is showing .25 ppm

Any suggestions? I'm sorry I hijacked this thread but it's not like I haven't been trying here...........

 

[minnnt]

Another water change... of at least 50% but ideally 60-70%

 

[Ruskull]

Another water change... of at least 50% but ideally 60-70%

50% water change, wait 20 minutes, test:

Ammonia near zero

Nitrite at zero

Checking the rest now................

 

[minnnt]

Great news.

 

[Ruskull]

Nitrate at 20 ppm

pH between 7.2 & 7.6

I'll leave well enough alone til tomorrow.

Great news.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

 

[minnnt]

Nitrate is more than acceptable imo.

Also, a combination of peat in the filter, bog wood in your tank and maybe a few almond leaves will help to bring down your ph.

 

[Ruskull]

Alright, the tank's night time is over & I turned on the light. Everything looks clear but the Glowlight Tetras are very dark in color and the Neons are slightly darker than usual. After waiting a bit, say 20 minutes or so, they look lighter and more normal again.

Does anyone think that Neons & Glowlights turn darker at night to camoflage themselves to their darker surroundings? I fed the tank a very small pinch of tropical flake and I'll check the levels in a little while.

 

[minnnt]

It's normal for them to demonstrate darker colours at night time.