Cycling Advice

[chebird]

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?

 

[Maxw47]

Has the gravel dried out? Has it been cleaned well? And I haven't changed out a filter cartridge in over a year. It doesn't make sense to take out the bacteria that the filter is for. Granted, every time I mess with a filter junk starts coming out of it, but it always clears up fast.

 

[chebird]

Thank you Max for your reply.

I threw the gravel away. These camellanus worms were so hard to get rid of. I knew I would have cycling problems and would probably lose some fish, but the worms were killing them anyways.

In the 75 gal, I haven't touched the gravel in over 7 years, so I'm not going "fix" it if it ain't broke And it's a very healthy tank. I'm wondering if I'm messing too much with the 29 gal.

 

[Maxw47]

I would leave the 29 be for like a week, and just see if anything new pops up. Do a water change at the end of the week, and take a closer look. We can treat, fix, change, whatever we need from there. Is your 75 gallon planted? Oh and what are the parameters for both tanks?

 

[chebird]

Thanks Max,

Just fake plants. The parameters were just a little over nothing in the 29. I haven't tested the 75, as everything seems fine in there, and has for years.

Thanks for your advice!

Holly

 

[Maxw47]

Can you give me a list of the parameters for the 29? And I definitely think there are advantages to not touching the gravel bed. It's a great place for helpful bacterias to grow

 

[chebird]

Thanks Max,

I don't have any gravel in the glass, just some glass balls that don't cover the bottom. So you're saying I should add gravel. Will do.

I haven't checked the water levels today.

Holly