New To Hobby And Loving It!

[RustyScotland]

Hi there, my name is Corinna and I have recently discovered the joys of an quarium.... unfortunately I made the HUGE mistake of starting small..... which is a real pain.  Got the Fluval Chi and while I have the water parameters going in the right direction the filter seems to be a nightmare.  Heyho we learn as we go.
 
I look forward to meeting everyone here!.
 
I have a question though, I am looking at the Aquatlantis Ambience and I see it has the Biobox2 - and it uses a filter cartridge system that looks like it means replacing the whole thing when it needs replacing..... that means recycling each time the filter needs replaced right?
 
Does anyone have this system? can it be washed out for regular maintenance?
 
I want to stay well clear of easy care - bad for fish aquariums !!! Would love your insights
 

 

[nic1]

Hi Corinna, welcome!
I'm not familiar with the Biobox2 filter but you should wash the filter in old aquarium water not tap water so it keeps it's good bacteria. I have never replaced my filter in any of my tanks unless they are completely broken and then I transfer what I can from the old to the new to prevent having to cycle the tank again.

Others on here will have other suggestions for you, but that's what I do

 

[Ch4rlie]

 
A lot of manufacturers will state that filter media need replacing every so often is just basically a marketing gimmick in getting people to buy more filter media  

 
I have never replaced the filter media in any of my filters, just a clean in old tank water as nic1 mention to keep the bacterias you need. And i clean half the filter media at a time, never the whole lot in one go.
 
By sounds of it, are you in process of fishless cycling your Fluval Chi?
Just to be sure, are you following this article regarding cycling - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/
 
Or a different way of cycling?
 
Anytime you're ever unsure, just ask

 

[RustyScotland]

Hi Ch4rlie and Nic1 - thanks for the Welcome.  I am doing a fish cycle.... yes now I know better, but to be honest the fish seem very happy and healthy and a big fish tank is in the work soon so will do better with that one I am doing very regular water changes as required and testing all the water parameters every day.  Strange thing is that though the Ammonia is going down again, the Nitrites and Nitrates register 0 - good thing one would say - but they never spiked..... so a but flumoxed.  Additionally the water remains cloudy most noticably in the evenings.... but that seems to be a Fluval Chi disease I have ordered another filter to see if running a stronger filter makes any difference... but the fish are happy to thats the most impostant thing I guess.
 
I also found the answer to my own question - the Biobox2 has individual cartridges so I should be able to wash (in aquarium water of course) and maintain. So will go ahead and order my
 
Looking forward to my time here - Corinna

Aquatlantis Ambiance Bow 120 Aquarium And Cabinet Dark Wood
for my birthday - ****SUPER EXCITED***

 

[vrob]

Hey Corinna and welcome to the TFF and the hobby!  It is a great one.
I agree with Ch4rlie and Nic1 about the filter cartridges. I used to have an aqueon filter that recommended changing the cartridge every 4 weeks. A guy at my LFS told me "well the plastic inside the filter homes all of your bacteria and not the cartridge itself, so you should change it out". Needless to say my confidence in my LFS employees to give advice drops a little each time. Washing them out as previously suggested works just fine.
 
As for your readings how well are you shaking up nitrate test bottle #2? I had a period where i was getting no readings at all until someone here pointed out to me that the #2 solution has alot of powder in it and clumps in the bottom. After shaking the bottle vigorously for about 5mins my next test was at 20ppm nitrate.
 
Good luck!