Should I Remove The Filter? Help!

[jeffadams]

Well recently two of my black mollies have been diagnosed with columnaris. So i have been treating them with API Melafix for about the past two days. But recently today one has died. The bottle had said to remove the carbon from the filter in which if did that i would have a huge ammonia spike cause the filter is the kind that is one big piece. I am running a tetra 20 filter. I just need some guidance so any more fish don't die also am I using the right medication for this? Any suggestions?

 

[Fishmanic]

you could carefully cut along the edge of the cartridge filter media and shake out the carbon flakes---then rinse in water taken from the tank and reinstall the cartridge. I used to use a similar filter with a cartridge but decided to upgrade to an Aquaclear filter as it has 3 types of media and you can replace or clean only one at a time, thus not upsetting the beneficial bacteria. 

 

[jeffadams]

Yes i plan on upgrading also hopefully to something with more water flow. But ok thanks for the suggestion

 

[Fishmanic]

by the way, I like your avatar pic

 

[jeffadams]

Thanks ha thought it was pretty funny ha

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

Carbon from what I have heard doesnt do anything afdter it is older than a week old. So I would just keep it in there.

 

[fluttermoth]

It might still absorb medications though; better to take it out, if your filter has some other media in it as well.

 

[jeffadams]

Yes i took it out to see if i get the medication to flow better without it getting filter through the whole time. I will see if i can save my other molly. I have also noticed ever since i have been using the melafix my water has been a little cloudy Plus when I feel the fish is back 100%. I am going to do a 50% water change and change the filter again or would that start another cycle that i dont wanna do.

 

[Fishmanic]

I don't think you should change the water AND the filter at the same time---hopefully changing the filter won't cause a minicycle as you will lose lots of your beneficial bacteria

 

[jeffadams]

What would you suggest I do after my fish are healthy again? Just do a water change wait awhile then filter?

 

[jeffadams]

Soon i will be upgrading to a aquaclear or a fluval C3 so i dont have to deal with not being able to remove what i want. But the little filter i have dont push enough water like i want.

 

[Fishmanic]

After a partial water change,  I would try to squeeze another new filter right next to the old one.   Wait a week or so and then take out the old filter.   That should preserve some of your bacteria.