Floating stuff.. bah!

[joedarat]

Hey, so here's whats going on:

I got a 29 gal , with a fluval 204. about 13 fish. small 1-3 inches. pleco, 2 loaches , and various livebearers.

Water is not cloudy, but I've been noticing a lot of small particles (like food, poop, etc) just floating around .. and enuf of it to be annoyingly visible all the time.

I did about 40% water change, vacuum, and filter media change 1 week ago..

any thoughts??

oh they are fed very small amount once in the morning and once in the evening.

Thanks!

 

[Toirtis]

Throw a layer of filter floss in your filter to catch the small stuff....or go a bit further and get a Magnum HOT with a micron filter and run it on your tank 10-20 hours weekly.

 

[Lil'Fishy]

what is a magnum hot???

 

[Toirtis]

what is a magnum hot???

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/h112_magnum_filter.htm

 

[deeni0z]

well.. it's not a magnum cold, i'll tell you what!

 

[Mofo2713]

Is a magnum hto another thing like a diatom filter?

 

[Toirtis]

Is a magnum hto another thing like a diatom filter?

Well, it provides a similar function...micro-polishing of the water.

 

[Mofo2713]

is this or a diatom filter really worth paying $90 for?

 

[Toirtis]

If you like absolutely crystal clear water, sure. But...adding filter floss to your power or canister filter works about 75% as well, and costs a whole lot less.

 

[Mofo2713]

Can I buy filter floss at Petsmart or only online. I'm looking at liveaquaria.com and they have 7 oz. of it for $4. I have a 20 gal. with a HOB filter. Also, is 7 oz. plenty for my filter?

 

[mitche8359]

You'll need to change the floss on a regular basis. I need to do it weekly, but havn't been. Build up of junk in the floss will reduce the water flow as is expected.

 

[Mofo2713]

Nevermind, it appears as my BIO 3 filter comes with filter floss in it... at least that's what it says, http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...older_id=2534374302030041&bmUID=1097143914778

 

[An t-iasg]

Just to answer your other question, Mofo2713, I got 7 oz. of filter fiber at DrsFosterSmith. It's about the size of a bed pillow. I only run it occasionally in a corner filter, so I think this bag will last for years and years!

 

[Mofo2713]

DAMN.....didn't know 7 oz. was as big as a bed pillow....guess it's pretty light 7oz of filter floss here I come...

 

[Toirtis]

Can I buy filter floss at Petsmart or only online. I'm looking at liveaquaria.com and they have 7 oz. of it for $4. I have a 20 gal. with a HOB filter. Also, is 7 oz. plenty for my filter?

Most petshops/aquarium shops regularly carry filter floss....at least the ones I go to do.

 

[Mofo2713]

Oh well, just ordered some filter floss and a micron pad from liveaquaria.com. See which one works better. Hope this helps my "suspended particle" situation...

 

[An t-iasg]

Mofo2713, let us know which one you like and how it works for you. The filter floss bag is the size of a standard pillow, not a king pillow or anything, but it's still a good amount and should last you a long time. I remember when I ordered it and it came, I wondered, I only ordered 7 oz -- why is the box so big?

 

[Mofo2713]

lol....will keep you guys updated once i receive them and try them out...