Bio-filter

[midol]

Hey, how often should i clean my big filter?

When i did my 100% water change it had a load of carbon (I think it was carbon) and other gunky junk crap at the bottom, should i empty that crap out or leave it there? Caus' my water is starting to turn a faint yellowish, or does the colour change just mean water change time caus my water is perfectly healthy (Don't have the exact readings i took water to my fish shop).

 

[lando]

8O Any reason for doing a 100% water change? It is very hard to maintain stability in a system with such large water changes. 15-20% every 2-3weeks is a much better schedule. Need more info...FW or SW tank? Size? Type of filtration?

should i empty that crap out or leave it there?

Where is it at? In a filter or on the substrate?

Caus' my water is starting to turn a faint yellowish,

Running some fresh GAC will ussually help with the discoloration.

caus my water is perfectly healthy (Don't have the exact readings i took water to my fish shop).

Water parameters would also be helpful. I would recommed getting a basic test kit for your own use at home. Any chance on posting current parameters?

Hey, how often should i clean my big filter?

What type of filter is it?

 

[midol]

I shall go buy a test kit tomorrow

Umm, the water was way to dirty, had it cycling for 6 weeks and no improvement so i just did a 100% change (I get ocean water).

Umm, it is a 280L ~75gal (4ft x ~1.5ft x ~1.5ft) (Dont have a ruler on me)

The gunky crap builds up in the bottom of my filter, it is a Pro-Aqua CFD-1200.

SW tank.

I am getting my liverock soon but i am checking around as my local store charges $16 per kilo and i can get it for $8 per kilo over the net but i'd prefer a shop.


Also, something rather interesting... I found a lizard in my tank, no idea how he got in but he was swimming around quite happily (Well, he looked happy).


EDIT: I don't want to make a new thread but what lights would you recommend i get, i want to be able to keep basically everything as one day i might want some hard to keep corals and i don't want to have to go buy new lights. Also, if you can, throw me a rough $$$ value on the lights, salt water setups are very expensive!

EDIT2: My tank only has a flow of 2700LPH right now, in a 270L tank i don't feel that is enough as i have heard generally you want min of about 15x and some people prefer up to 30x, i was thinking of getting a 3000lph powerhead and that puts me at 21x, would you recommend i get that?

 

[lando]

If this is a tank that is cycling, you need to figure out what is fouling your water. IT could just be diatoms, a normal part of the cycling process. What are you using to cycle your tank right now?

what lights would you recommend i get

Look at the Coralife 48in Aqualight or Aqualight Pro.

My tank only has a flow of 2700LPH right now, in a 270L tank i don't feel that is enough as i have heard generally you want min of about 15x

I agree you could use more flow but it will be more important when you begin to add corals.

 

[midol]

I am using a prawn, i figured it'd do the same job as a shrimp.

It's coming up on, umm 4 weeks now since the 100% change.

 

[lando]

What is your substrate? Once you post water parameters we will be able to tell how your cycly is coming.

 

[midol]

Some sort of sand, i didn't check what it was before putting it in but i know it was damn expensive, i am getting some good play sand soon because it is only 2inch deep max.

Water specs will be here tomorrow arvo, well, today in about 15hrs since its 12.32am