I just read in another thread not to change out the filter material every month. I never knew that. I have two filters in each of my tanks. If I change out only one every month, would that be OK? I don't understand how they can work when they are filthy.
I just had to do a fish-in cycle in a tank plagued with camellanus worms. I cleaned out the whole tank after finally getting rid of the worms. I reused about 1/3 of the water, but I got rid of the gravel. I medicated the tank again for the worms. I put in some glass rocks so I can vacuum easily and see any critters. I changed out both filters. I vacuum out and replace about a fifth of the water every 4 days. I add Topfin Bacteria supplement with each change. My levels are fine, but some of my fish look stressed (the last ones who had the worms). Am I wrong to not use gravel? This is a 29 gallon livebearer tank.
Also, when I changed out the filters a few days ago, there were small moving dots in the bottom of the bucket I used to empty out the filters. I don't understand how I can have any kind of parasite after spending a month treating my tank with medication which worked on the camellanus.
I have a 75 gallon angelfish tank which never gives me any problems. Truthfully, I haven't vacuumed the gravel - ever. I just change out 1/5 of the water and the filter material every month.
Any suggestions on what to do with the 29 gallon? Does adding gravel help with the cycling?
I just had to do a fish-in cycle in a tank plagued with camellanus worms. I cleaned out the whole tank after finally getting rid of the worms. I reused about 1/3 of the water, but I got rid of the gravel. I medicated the tank again for the worms. I put in some glass rocks so I can vacuum easily and see any critters. I changed out both filters. I vacuum out and replace about a fifth of the water every 4 days. I add Topfin Bacteria supplement with each change. My levels are fine, but some of my fish look stressed (the last ones who had the worms). Am I wrong to not use gravel? This is a 29 gallon livebearer tank.
Also, when I changed out the filters a few days ago, there were small moving dots in the bottom of the bucket I used to empty out the filters. I don't understand how I can have any kind of parasite after spending a month treating my tank with medication which worked on the camellanus.
I have a 75 gallon angelfish tank which never gives me any problems. Truthfully, I haven't vacuumed the gravel - ever. I just change out 1/5 of the water and the filter material every month.
Any suggestions on what to do with the 29 gallon? Does adding gravel help with the cycling?