I have recently procured a 50g tank from a neighbor. He has told me that the tank hasn't had the water changed in 3-4 months and the filter (fluval 405) has not been maintained in that time period either. The tank actually looks in pretty good condition, the decorations have some moderate algae but came off easily with a 5% cholrine solution. The glass is in fairly good shape as well as water color/odor and. Upon taking apart the filter, the sponges looked terrible (there are 4) and the media looked pretty poor too. ( the media is: 1 pre filter, 2 bio-max bio rings, 1 zeo-carb)
My question is, how should I go about getting this tank back into proper condition. Theres about 25 inches of fish in the tank currently. I have refrained from taking any action because I know drastic changes can do more harm than leaving it as is.
What I want to know is basically what is the amount and rate of water changes, and how should I go about staggering the cleaning of my filter components.
My question is, how should I go about getting this tank back into proper condition. Theres about 25 inches of fish in the tank currently. I have refrained from taking any action because I know drastic changes can do more harm than leaving it as is.
What I want to know is basically what is the amount and rate of water changes, and how should I go about staggering the cleaning of my filter components.