Ph Question

[gregswimm]

If the tap water is very cold you can either let it sit with a heater in it or just do 3-4 25% changes but not within 12h of each other.

If the tanks have been up for at least 4 months you shouldn't have to worry about ammonia or nitrites unless you are over stocked or killing your bio filter somehow.

 

[Mamba]

Aye, i'll spread it over the period as you suggest. It'll take a little longer but i'll get the Nitrate level down to 30ppm or less and then do the bi weekly water changes to keep it there.

Cheers again, I do really appreciate this help.

 

[Mamba]

Oh, forgot to add. I had a glass of water standing for 24hrs and the ph level is in fact bang on 7.

Oh, btw Gregswim by "Mechanical Media" do you mean the white bio max stuff in the centre section of the Fluval U4's etc?

 

[gregswimm]

By mechanical media I mean whatever is intended to physically catch particles in the water. Generally it's a pad or filter floss. Not sure what bio max is but it sounds like biological filtration, ceramic rings, clay pellets, bioballs etc. You generally never have to clean biomedia if it comes after mechanical filtration in terms of the direction of water flow through the filter. You also never expose it to anything other than tank water, or you risk 'uncycling' your filter. If you ever need to clean it just shake it off in some old tank water (i do this with my mechanical media because i'm cheep).

Just in case you don't know, there are 3 basic types of filtration for freshwater: mechanical, chemical, and biological(aka bio) filtration.
Mechanical collects debris the filter sucks up and goes first in terms of what the water contacts first and is always sorted from course to fine(not all filters have space for multiple pads).
Next is the chemical filtration, which is completely optional and consists of activated carbon (nitrate, phosphate, and ammonia media is available but I strongly advise against it, not only is it a waste of money but they do funky things to your chemistry).
Last is your biological media. This provides a substrate for your bacteria to grow. This is the media that turns your ammonia into nitrate and the most important part of the filtration. It can be anything from clay pellets, bio balls, ceramic rings, large gravel, course mechanical media. Some people even employ the use of fluidized sand beds which are very efficient but often more trouble than it's worth. Because biomedia is filled with living organisms, it NEVER comes into contact with anything other than tank water. Many people combine bio and mechanical media, but they often experience ammonia spikes when replacing media.

 

[Mamba]

Cheers again for the definitions and the patience in explaining.

I have Fluval U Series internal filters which have the white coarse filter, followed by a dual sided finer filter, the first of which is a thin layer of poly wool type material and then the carbon filter. This then is the mechanical filter. The mid section of these filters have a box that holds the ceramic rings that I believe are called Biomax rings or similar.

The coarse filters have never been changed as they haven't disintergrated and,as they seem to be in good condition I don't see the point in replacing them. The carbon/poly wool filters have been in many months, they've been gently cleaned weekly as with all things filter based, in tank water.
What do you reckon may have caused problems with my mechanical filtration to warrant changing them?
Should I changed the coarse filters first; should I change the carbon filters first; or should I change them all at once or by the side?
Won't this effect the good bacteria on the filters?

 

[snazy]

I don't think the filter has anything to do with the issue. I use the same filters in two of my tanks. You only need to replace any of the media or bio nooddles in the middle if they are falling apart which seems impossible so far in my experience with these filters. It will probably last a very long time. I also just wash mine in tank water from time to time. If you ever need to replace anything, then do just 1/3rd of the media at a time max. The carbon sponges once used for a long time work as normal bio/mechanical sponges. The noodles in the middle are supposed to grow the most bacteria in general and I recently used some of them from an older filter to seed another identical new filter and it was cycled instantly, so it may be true but who knows what the bacteria is up to

As for the tank with a low Ph, as previously suggested, you need to do water changes probably 20-25% every day for a good while to bring the Ph on track and not stress the fish while doing so. This will bring more buffers from the tap water to the tank to help resist the acidifying processes going on. High nitrAtes can turn into nitric acid and acidify your water additionally, causing further issues to the Ph. So is the ammonia to nitrIte converstion process, so there are at least several major things in a tank that can cause a Ph crash, even with a harder water and all of them are solved with very regular maintenance. If you nitrAtes are going that high in a week time, then there's either high amount of waste in the tank or the tank is overstocked so even more regular water changes are needed to make sure nothing harmful, like a Ph drop, happens.

 

[Mamba]

I understand, I really must say I am very glad I joined. You've all been very patient and extremely helpful. Thanks again.

When it comes to the Nitrates I must admit I wasn't keeping an eye on them, I hadn't, truth be told, checked them in a LONG while. I was under the mistaken impression Ammonia/ammonium and Nitrites were the biggest concern. I assumed (big mistake again) that I was keeping them in check with weekly water changes.
I have given myself a well deserved telling off, the rectification work on all 4 tanks will be my punishment! Lugging buckets of dirty and clean water up and down the stairs will be a very good reminder to check the water quality fully and regularly.
So, hopefully soon the ph level will be back up to what it should be in the 2ft tank.

Cheers for the help again, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[snazy]

With 4 tanks I would invest in a siphon that connects to the tap directly, unless you prefer the fitness

 

[gregswimm]

Ammona and nitrites are only a concern for roughly the first 1-2 months the tank is up. As far as maintenance goes carbon should be replaced monthly waiting any longer and it looses it's effectiveness. I normally rinse my mechanical media in tank water, I replace it only when I can no longer get it to come clean. I would rinse your sponge/foam in tank water (NOT IN THE TANK but in a bucket of 'old' water) and replace them every 3 to 6 months or as you see fit. I wouldn't worry about the bacteria unless you replace the biomax. Dirty filters essentially leak nitrates into the tank.

If you want to maintain a stable pH, a good way is to add some crushed coral to the filter. An easy way is to buy some loose crushed coral and put a handful in some old pantyhose, tie it off and put it where your carbon goes. It will dissolve in low pH and release calcium into the water which will increase the KH.

As for siphoning goes, I like to siphon my tank out the nearest window . Just mind the people

 

[Mamba]

I live in a very old farm house in the country. I'm refurbishing one of the upstairs bedrooms, had a nice little find, in pencil of course, one of the roof beams were signed by the roofer. It was dated 1823. There is no upstairs plumbing per se, the bathroom is downstairs so not a lot of choice in the matter. Besides, I could probably do with the exercise!!

I didn't realise the carbon had to be replaced monthly, that too I will do. I had read that every 3-4 months will do. I already rinse out the foam filters (yep in the bucket of tank water cos not even i'm that daft!!)
I'll add the crush coral too to keep the ph on an even keel too. Cheers for that tip too.

The siphoning I am thinking of when I do my wall of tanks is to fit overflow tubing and at least have it running to a rainwater butt. That water is stupendous for growing plants, they really love it!! The added benefit of course is at least I don't have to get quite as many buckets disposed of by bringing them down stairs too. Just have to convince the other half to have at least a tap upstairs to make life a little easier.