Hi, everyone-
This is my new hobby so I have very limited basic knowledge. All your suggestions and recommendations are truly welcome!
I have a 10-gallon tank with one half moon betta fish in it. I spent MONTHS trying to do a fish-less cycle and after MONTHS of "struggling" with it, the day has finally arrived where I can safely add my betta fish to the tank.
The tank doesn't have any live plants. It has gravel, several plastic/ silk plants and a couples decor for the betta to hide and swim around.
I'm currently using the AquaClear 20 filter. Please keep in mind this filter has been with this tank since last October. I've never rinsed/ washed it during the period where I was trying to cycle the tank, using the fish-less cycle. This filter includes the foam insert, activated carbon insert, and the biomax. I also added a sponge from an existing aquarium to the filter and this was the one single piece of "magic" that helped complete my cycle.
The "hardest" part is over for me, in term of trying to cycle the fish tank. Now, I do really need to know how to properly maintain/ take care/ and clean the filter, as well as the fish tank.
My questions then:
1. Should I replace any part of the filter? Meaning, do I need to replace the biomax, the sponge or the activated carbon insert? My assumption is that I need to keep the sponge, and Never, Ever to replace it? I don't know really. Please clearly advise!
2. If I should Not replace the filter. Please advise on how I should maintain and take care of the filter?
3. If I perform partial water change, should I only do 25%? And if so, how often should I perform the partial water change? Would it be once a week or can it be once every 2 weeks?
Thank you all for your help and suggestion! It's much appreciated! If I have missed any info, please let me know!
This is my new hobby so I have very limited basic knowledge. All your suggestions and recommendations are truly welcome!
I have a 10-gallon tank with one half moon betta fish in it. I spent MONTHS trying to do a fish-less cycle and after MONTHS of "struggling" with it, the day has finally arrived where I can safely add my betta fish to the tank.
The tank doesn't have any live plants. It has gravel, several plastic/ silk plants and a couples decor for the betta to hide and swim around.
I'm currently using the AquaClear 20 filter. Please keep in mind this filter has been with this tank since last October. I've never rinsed/ washed it during the period where I was trying to cycle the tank, using the fish-less cycle. This filter includes the foam insert, activated carbon insert, and the biomax. I also added a sponge from an existing aquarium to the filter and this was the one single piece of "magic" that helped complete my cycle.
The "hardest" part is over for me, in term of trying to cycle the fish tank. Now, I do really need to know how to properly maintain/ take care/ and clean the filter, as well as the fish tank.
My questions then:
1. Should I replace any part of the filter? Meaning, do I need to replace the biomax, the sponge or the activated carbon insert? My assumption is that I need to keep the sponge, and Never, Ever to replace it? I don't know really. Please clearly advise!
2. If I should Not replace the filter. Please advise on how I should maintain and take care of the filter?
3. If I perform partial water change, should I only do 25%? And if so, how often should I perform the partial water change? Would it be once a week or can it be once every 2 weeks?
Thank you all for your help and suggestion! It's much appreciated! If I have missed any info, please let me know!