Rio 125 Help?

[SXI - Matt]

I have a rio 125 thats been set up for just after a week now, i waned to find out when i should change the filters or what ones you have to change and when? i dont have the carbon one in as im using fertelizer and was told not to put it in other wise it'll take out the fertelizer iv added, also iv decided to cycle my tank using fish, iv got 4 molly's in the tank and since they have been in my tank the tank hasnt seemed to start cycling the ammonia and nitrite and nitrate hasnt gone up at all how long does it normally take to start? Could i have set my filter system up wrong because the way i set it up is the way the book i got with the tank decribed but im struggeling to work out how its going to effectiveley filter? sorry about the esay, Many Thanks Matt

 

[aaronnorth]

take out and replace with dechlorinated water up to 40% of the water every week (i do a 30%water change) but it depends on stocking levels etc. Clean the filters sponges every 2 - 4 weeks, it would be better to do yours monthly as it is a new tank, after about 2 months just clean 1 sponge every 2 weeks leaving the other (if you have 2), replace 1 sponge at a time every 3 months, replace chemical fitration (peat, carbon, nitrate remover etc) every month, and half of your biological filtration every 6months. Don't use carbon unless removing medication or an overdose of something although water changes would be better for overdosing. Cycling usually starts within the 1st week and it can take up to 8 weeks. You should see ammonia by now, then nitrate at end of second week then nitrate at end of 3rd wk although this is just a guideline, some tanks cycle for ages some can be done in 3 wks, depends on various things. its quite hard to get a filter not working properly, if it is switched on and running it is ok.