Help please! Filtration water etc

[Purpleanya]

aquamode 600 tank with ceramic noodles, charcoal filter and sponge layer, all in filter.
White bits in tank, ....do noodles disintegrate?
Should I replace old noodles with new?
If so what preparation do I need to undertake?
Is it harmful to goldfish?

 

[Essjay]

Ceramic noodles usually last for years so unless you've had the tank a long time (or if you bought it second hand, the previous owner had it for years) the noodles shouldn't be disintegrating.

What are the white bits like? Are they large or small, lumps or strands or flakes etc?

Do you have very hard water - flakes of limescale are possible with hard water.






I should also ask how many goldfish are in the tank? At 60 litres, it is a bit small for even one.

 

[Purpleanya]

Ceramic noodles usually last for years so unless you've had the tank a long time (or if you bought it second hand, the previous owner had it for years) the noodles shouldn't be disintegrating.

What are the white bits like? Are they large or small, lumps or strands or flakes etc?

Do you have very hard water - flakes of limescale are possible with hard water.






I should also ask how many goldfish are in the tank? At 60 litres, it is a bit small for even one.

Th

Ceramic noodles usually last for years so unless you've had the tank a long time (or if you bought it second hand, the previous owner had it for years) the noodles shouldn't be disintegrating.

What are the white bits like? Are they large or small, lumps or strands or flakes etc?

Do you have very hard water - flakes of limescale are possible with hard water.






I should also ask how many goldfish are in the tank? At 60 litres, it is a bit small for even one.

Thank you for helping.
We have had the tank for years, White is creamy and floating on top of the water.
Have soaked new noodles in water taken from tank, now replenished filter, to clear remaining tank cloudiness. ( 1/3 tank water syphoned/ changed)
Only one goldfish (originally he was tiny tiddler, now approx 4 inch body plus large tail)

 

[Essjay]

Exactly what have you replaced in the filter? Just the noodles or anything else as well?

If you have replaced a lot of media, you'll need to keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrite levels for a few days as you could have lost a lot of bacteria, though there will be the ones left in the biofilm on the tank walls, decor, substrate etc. But if you've replaced only a third or less, you should be OK.

As for bits floating on the surface, I know your tank has a trickle filter in the lid, does it have anywhere you could put a layer of filter wool (filter floss)? That is good at removing bits.

 

[Purpleanya]

Replaced charcoal and black spongy bit!
I was alarmed at how dirty everything was! Think I should have changed one layer at a time!!
Son has been scraping algae but not tending to filters, I think.
Only replaced one third of water, scraped algae etc off and left to filters to clear.

 

[Essjay]

Goldfish are very messy fish so the filter media will need washing regularly.

Have you been washing the media or just replacing it when it gets dirty? Usually all media needs is swooshing/squeezing in the water you take out during a water change. Sponges only need changing when they fall apart, and ceramic noodles when they disintegrate.

 

[Purpleanya]

Exactly what have you replaced in the filter? Just the noodles or anything else as well?

If you have replaced a lot of media, you'll need to keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrite levels for a few days as you could have lost a lot of bacteria, though there will be the ones left in the biofilm on the tank walls, decor, substrate etc. But if you've replaced only a third or less, you should be OK.

As for bits floating on the surface, I know your tank has a trickle filter in the lid, does it have anywhere you could put a layer of filter wool (filter floss)? That is good at removing bits.

Goldfish are very messy fish so the filter media will need washing regularly.

Have you been washing the media or just replacing it when it gets dirty? Usually all media needs is swooshing/squeezing in the water you take out during a water change. Sponges only need changing when they fall apart, and ceramic noodles when they disintegrate.

 

[Purpleanya]

Usually rinse in water taken from tank.
My son had taken responsibility for the fish tank, looking at the state of filters I don't think he had even rinsed any of the filter media!
The fish was looking unwell, so I checked this morning, and has to take action myself, to save the poor fish.
Thank you for all your advice and help.