Setup So Far

[zola]

You seem to have done exactly what i was advised to do by my local 'chain' store last year... ignore them, never go in there again and listen to the suggestions from people on here.

You now have to do ALOT of water changes to keep your fish alive. At one point last year, i was doing 2 lots of 50% water changes just to keep my Mollies alive. It didn't work and they died a week or two later.

I also had that exact same filter you have. I found it noisy and useless. as soon as you can i suggest you upgrade, i decided on an 'Eheim Aquaball' and my small 30L tank has never looked so good! But then again, i cut my losses and chose on a complete 'fishless cycle'.

Regards,
Terry.

That filter is quite loud, hums constantly, and this tank is in our bedroom.. I also found the sucker pads come off the glass sometimes, is there a better way to stick them on so they wont come off?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

You seem to have done exactly what i was advised to do by my local 'chain' store last year... ignore them, never go in there again and listen to the suggestions from people on here.

You now have to do ALOT of water changes to keep your fish alive. At one point last year, i was doing 2 lots of 50% water changes just to keep my Mollies alive. It didn't work and they died a week or two later.

I also had that exact same filter you have. I found it noisy and useless. as soon as you can i suggest you upgrade, i decided on an 'Eheim Aquaball' and my small 30L tank has never looked so good! But then again, i cut my losses and chose on a complete 'fishless cycle'.

Regards,
Terry.

That filter is quite loud, hums constantly, and this tank is in our bedroom.. I also found the sucker pads come off the glass sometimes, is there a better way to stick them on so they wont come off?

Yes..throw it in the bin and buy a proper internal filter!

 

[zola]

Are there many variations in models? Which one do I get?

This is going to be an expensive month. If I buy this filter do I have assurances from you that's its both quiet and much better?

 

[Miles_hot]

decide if you want internal or external filtration and then have a look at all the filter threads on this board (and the DIY one). I went with external on my larger tank as I want nothing in it but fish and plants however on the small hospital tank I have gone with a Fluval U2 (not the smaller one as I want to be able to have seperate filter pads etc.)
Something to note when looking at second hand is make sure you include the cost of the new filter media in your calculations!

miles

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Are there many variations in models? Which one do I get?

This is going to be an expensive month. If I buy this filter do I have assurances from you that's its both quiet and much better?

This one might look a little too big in your tank ----> http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/eheim-aquaball-internal-filter-p-1108.html

But it's what i have got. Quiet, efficient and very reliable.
As for my 'assurance', it is my humble opinion, nothing more, nothing less...

Hope this helps, Terry.

 

[zola]

If its quieter and better that's cool.

Although I see what you mean about size, don't want something too huge.

If I got this filter and stuck it in next week would I lose the bacteria that's been building up in the tank from the other filter?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

If its quieter and better that's cool.

Although I see what you mean about size, don't want something too huge.

If I got this filter and stuck it in next week would I lose the bacteria that's been building up in the tank from the other filter?

Yes, that is the reason as to why you would move ALL your media and sponges from your current filter into your new one, which is what i did.

It's really not too big, when you first put it on it's like "whoooah, that looks awful", yet you get used to it and believe me, your fish really will benefit.

Out of curiosity, do you know of anyone near you (friends/family) that are into the tropical fish hobby? If so, by getting some 'mature media' from their filter will speed up your process and possibly eradicate the need for constant water changes.

Regards,
Terry.

 

[zola]

What about this one?

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/eheim-aquaball-internal-filter-p-1107.html

or would I be better with the larger one?

 

[zola]

If its quieter and better that's cool.

Although I see what you mean about size, don't want something too huge.

If I got this filter and stuck it in next week would I lose the bacteria that's been building up in the tank from the other filter?

Yes, that is the reason as to why you would move ALL your media and sponges from your current filter into your new one, which is what i did.

It's really not too big, when you first put it on it's like "whoooah, that looks awful", yet you get used to it and believe me, your fish really will benefit.

Out of curiosity, do you know of anyone near you (friends/family) that are into the tropical fish hobby? If so, by getting some 'mature media' from their filter will speed up your process and possibly eradicate the need for constant water changes.

Regards,
Terry.

Yes here in our work there is a huge tropical fish tank and the guy is in every Thursday to maintain it. Should I ask him for a sample?

The tropical fish shop said to come by in a couple of weeks with a water sample, its the same company who services our tank in work that sold me the fish!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I really wouldn't like to comment on that, being a relative 'newbie' myself in all honesty. What i looked for was a little more 'filtration' than i really needed, and it's worked for me.

What i would suggest though, is maybe waiting for the likes of 'Waterdrop' or 'Kittykat' to come along and share their experience, they know ALOT more then me, rest assured!

EDIT- If there is a ready supply of 'mature media' at work, then get chatting to the fella that comes to service it, explain your current circumstance and ask him politely if he can spare some. What i did was offered to replace the filter media with brand new stuff, out of good manners.

 

[zola]

I'll hold off then for the moment, thanks for the replies however! I have been learning a lot in the past few days.

I have reserved the API kit for later tonight. When I find out what I have to do with it I will be heading more in the right direction hopefully!

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I'll hold off then for the moment, thanks for the replies however! I have been learning a lot in the past few days.

I have reserved the API kit for later tonight. When I find out what I have to do with it I will be heading more in the right direction hopefully!

What you need to do now is once your water is tested (NitrIte, Ammonia, PH, and NitrAte) post the results up on here then take it from there..

Believe me, if you take the time to read and take in the advice you are given on here then you will be up and running in no time, causing minimum stress to your fish...

Anyway, good luck with it, i know how you feel been given useless advice and stuck in the middle of a 'fish-in' cycle.

regards,
Terry.

 

[Miles_hot]

you would ideally be able to transfer the media wholesale to the new filter (keeping both in some tank water) so ideally pick one which you can add the old media into (preferably alonside some of the new media) - you may need to chop up sponges etc. This is why I chose the U2 for my QT as I will be able to add some media from the other mature filter to provide the level of support needed. The filters which come with the U2 can then provide the physical filtration (bio filtration = bateria to deal with the chemicals and physical gets rid of bits - note that physical can hold bacteria too).

 

[zola]

Hi all,

Update -

Went out to the shop tonight and got a few things:

1. I changed the 100W heater we were given free and bought a 25W heater (28 Litre Tank)
2. Got a thermometer and place it at the other end of the tank.
3. API FreshWater Master Test Kit.

I have put the new heater and thermometer in, I will now read up on the tests I need to do.

 

[zola]

Water Test Results:

PH: 7.6
AMMONIA: 0.25ppm
NITRITE: 0ppm
NITRATE: 0ppm