Using Filter Media Question

[Chrispixx]

I don't understand your logic as to why your only using your Python to remove water, and not to put it back in. if your worried about chlorine thats what the prime is for.

A Python is supposed to make water changing easier, i have a Python and wouldn't go back to buckets let alone be dealing with gallon jugs. I don't know if your gravel vac-ing every time you change water but in a cycling tank you shouldn't be. Just leave the python tube in one spot and let it drain the tank to the desired level, then reverse the flow add the prime and re-fill.

You should also be feeding light.. every other day or every third day if your not doing this already. The less feeding the less fish waste and the less decaying uneaten food all equals less ammonia.

Regarding your giant danio if its lip is not fuzzy or cottony it may not be fungus, although it is hard to tell without a picture, if you could post one that would help.
I have a giant danio with a bump on its lip and it has been like that for a long time without getting worse. They tend to get these from bumping into the tank sides when they are at the pet store in the small tanks, with people walking by every minute.

 

[waterdrop]

Chrispixx's comments are really good.

Re the Python: button, are you able to hook up the python to a spigot that can adjust hot & cold? If so, then he's right and you should be able match temps by running water on your wrist, comparing to tank feel with your wrist (will be close enough) and then mix some dechlor directly into tank, start refilling and mix the rest of the dechlor. In your 100G this should work especially well because the large volume of remaining tank water not being replaced will resist any temp/chlor changes that would be more abrupt to the fish in a smaller tank. My sense of your way of thinking, worrying so much about the meds and all, is that putting the water and dechlor directly in with your fish might have you too worried - if so, that should not be the case as Chrispixx is right, they will be ok and probably even enjoy, as most fish do, the refreshing currents of new water coming in. Unless there is some part of your story we are missing, this could save your bad back a lot of trouble!

I would also like to observe that you have gone right back to putting a lot of stock into "remedies" like salt, meds etc. for the fish and "bio-filter accellerators" for the cycling. While I don't want to stop you from taking advice here in TFF for specific med procedures for specific fish maladies (I have not been following that part and I'm too inexperienced myself to offer advice in that dept) my sense is that you are underestimating the recuperative powers of simply getting that ammonia down to zero and that nitrite down to zero and having a good pH and good surface agitation to provide oxygen.

Doing the busy work to provide the fish with this healthy environment may go a longer way to letting their own immune systems help them than the often awkward med procedures applied to a whole community tank. This is just my thought and opinion and you must weigh it against other advice - which for each really sick fish I encourage you to seek out in the appropriate forums on TFF.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[button]

I'm not really sure if the Giant Danio is sick- It IS a white spot on his lower lip but like I said his personality hasn't changed in any other way- still as active and hungry as ever. I dont think he'll stay still long enough for me to take a picture but I will try-- Thats what I was trying to ask- If it IS a fungus if it will go away with just water quality? my ammonia is now zero and nitites are CLOSE so im hopeing!! I was trying to ask if I need to medicate in order to prevent spreading (i will post this to the "appropriate forum" if it gets to that point but I thought it was related to my water quality and which is inversely related to my "ignorance" when it comes to the whole fishkeeping thing. Ah who knows-

Im trying to do whats right- I definately didnt want to be like other newcomers to the aquarium thing and just replace the fish that die during "cycle" without giving it a second thought. It amazing to me how many people who have aquariums that dont even know about the whole "cycle" process. Yes, I should've done more research but I didn't know my parents were planning on buying my 5 month old son a fish tank w/fish and that those fish were going to be too small for the tank they got leaving me to find a bigger tank for them ASAP- I could't in good heart keep the stressed out Bala sharks in that 10 gallon and since the stores wouldn't take them back it was my only option. I am doing the best that I can as a mom with a young baby who doesnt give her much time to do water changes ( i can get in one a day at night after he's in bed if Im not passing out myself from exaustion) This is why I had to do SOMETHING more- like putting faith in a bio-filter accelerator (which seems to be working?) (Thankfully) Per advice on here I HAVE taken out all other things in my tank- ie ammonia granules in filter, and haven't been putting anything else in it- I only added the salt because I thought It would help de-stress them during the cycleing process- and I only added a little. I haven't lost anyone yet and I can only hope it stays that way. I do have 2 Biowheel filters (one with 2 wheels and one with 1) creating lots of surface "agitation" and 2 bubble wand strips crossing the entire back of the tank (I dont know if it does anything but besides looking nice I figured it couldn't hurt- the fish enjoy swimming in it I am ever so grateful for the plethura of experiance coming to me on here and I have learned SO much that I will definately listen to and expand upon during my new found hobby. I am loving the whole fishkeeping thing and its of great comfort to me to be able to come here and ask my questions to people that do have a lot of experiance and knowledge in this field. I get it- water quality is #1 priority- and I'm keeping that in mind daily- testing often- doing what I can to keep the poisons down and hopefully "out"

I dont really have a Hot/COld faucet anywhere in my house for the python- we have weird faucets and the only thing I can attach it to is my hose out my front door- i did think i needed to add the dechlorinator first so that is good to know if I can find a decent priced faucet to replace the one in my bathroon (and the python is long enough) So I guess for now its the good ol' gallon and bucket thing for me- I have a nice system going and it can get done pretty quickly as long as my son is napping (happens seldomly but he does sleep well at night)

I am trying to not feed my fish much but I have to admit its not easy- the tank is in the living room and my Angelfish exspecialy know how to stare me into feeding them- They literally follow me everywhere!! I am a sucker and they have grabbed my heart by letting me touch them and literally eating out of my hand- I thought these guys were SUPPOSED to be shy?!?! SO, i must admit I do feed them daily (sometimes twice) but not a lot and usually just a little bit that I put directly into their mouths....Im keeping a close eye on everything and will stop feeding at the first sign of bad things...BUT after adding the biospira it seems like I might just be cycled (amazing stuff) I think I might of lucked out.

Again, thank you all for your input -every little bit counts....

 

[waterdrop]

Actually button, it sounds like you are doing a great job!

I'm jealous of your wonderful Angelfish! I remember them as being just like you describe and always were my favorites for personality.

Good luck and it'll be interesting to continue hearing about your tank and how its doing!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[button]

aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh MTS got me and Got me GOOD!! I was browsing Craigs list last night and saw a 20 gallon tank with stand and filter for a great price so guess what- I now have my Fourth tank!! lol- AND i am going to do a fishLESS cycle in it (Maybe after using it for a hospital tank for my Giant Danio- I haven't decided) Even though I am tired I am off to clean this thing because i am so excited to get it up and running (what has happened to me?!?!) Now in just the past month i have gone from a fishless- tankless person to someone who has the following::
MY SON- OF COURSE i cant leave him out
My husband
My first son (with God- who i miss dearly)(depressing I know)
My OTHER baby my dog a rottweiler/boxer mix (Danger)
A black cat named monster who thinks he's a Dog- maybe even a person and likes to bring me at least 1 lizard or mouse and sometimes even bird daily
a 1.5 gallon with a Crown betta
a 10 gallon with 5 neon tetras, 4 baby mollies (fry, I know) 3 female fancy tales, 1 male ft guppy and 1 betta
a 100 gallon with the list at the start of this thread AND NOW
a 20 gallon with a soon to be FISHLESS CYCLE starting--- After I get there I plan on moving all but the female guppies over (as I am sure they will have babies) or fry) and then go from there- HOPFULLY they can hold out until its "cycled"

Again, I am open to any advice BTW the used filter hasn't been used in a few weeks and looks pretty old- since I am starting a new cycle should I go ahead a get a new wheel?? AND can I do a fishless cycle with ammonia AND fish food?? to perhaps "speed" it up a little??
My next venture is a 180-200 gallon Marine tank-- Hopefully I can wait a while because my house isn't that big and I need to clean out my "office" to have some space for it!!

 

[waterdrop]

The subject of ammonia vs. fish food or other things comes up over and over on TFF and the most frequent advice from the experienced folks (despite my post count I am a beginner just like you but I just like to throw my comments in because I'm excited about the hobby and have read a lot on this site) is that ammonia (actual ammonia product must be chosen with care) is superior to other things because the process is much more controlled. Adding other things like fish food will -not- speed things up and may create enough problems to slow you down a lot in the long run.