Over clean??

[cichlid_tank619]

I had high nitrates in my 55gal, so I did a 50% PWC. Now the question is.. Can I clean out my media baskets and sponges in my fluval? Will it be over kill and/or will it harm the fish? I did it maybe a month ago (canister cleaning).

 

[Andrew McFadden]

If they need cleaned to get the nitrates down you'll need to clean them. With a 50% water change there should still be enough BB in the tank to hold you over till the filter gains BB back. Just don't way over clean the tank and filters all at once

 

[cichlid_tank619]

If they need cleaned to get the nitrates down you'll need to clean them. With a 50% water change there should still be enough BB in the tank to hold you over till the filter gains BB back. Just don't way over clean the tank and filters all at once

Yeah I'm going to wait a few hours and test the water and if its still high ill do the baskets/sponges. Just don't want to shock my fish.

 

[cichlid_tank619]

If they need cleaned to get the nitrates down you'll need to clean them. With a 50% water change there should still be enough BB in the tank to hold you over till the filter gains BB back. Just don't way over clean the tank and filters all at once

Hey it's been a couple hours since the PWC and the nitrate level is still high? Should I just do the canister?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

It's good its nitrate and not ammonia so I'd clean a little at a time. Clean the canister and clean the tubes

 

[cichlid_tank619]

It's good its nitrate and not ammonia so I'd clean a little at a time. Clean the canister and clean the tubes

I've been thinking about cleaning the tubes. What's a good method of doing that (fluval tubes)?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I don't know about fluval tubes because I've never owned one. At hardware stores they sell paint gun brushes for cleaning all different size cylinders. These are the ones I use
http://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-tube-pipe-nylon-brush-set-90631.html
The only problem would be if you have long tubes then you wouldn't be able to reach it all

 

[vlhudson]

Hi, I have a question and need advice on cleaning the saltwater stains on my tank so It can be converted and setup for fresh-water tank without the spots???
Here is what i have tried so far with a razor blade...
1) vinegar and let it set
2) clr & soaking it
3) metcuric acid from home depot
4) baking soda
5) Lime juice and lemon juice

and so far the saltwater stains are still there on this 75 gal tank...Any ideals will be welcome....

V L Hudson

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Hi, I have a question and need advice on cleaning the saltwater stains on my tank so It can be converted and setup for fresh-water tank without the spots???
Here is what i have tried so far with a razor blade...
1) vinegar and let it set
2) clr & soaking it
3) metcuric acid from home depot
4) baking soda
5) Lime juice and lemon juice

and so far the saltwater stains are still there on this 75 gal tank...Any ideals will be welcome....

V L Hudson

It takes a lot of elbow grease but it will come off with water/vinegar and a razor blade.

 

[daveho]

To do it u need your own thread, but yeah ^1+

 

[cichlid_tank619]

To do it u need your own thread, but yeah ^1+

I've been hijacked! LoL