7Enigma
Aquarium Advice Addict
The planted tank has little to do with it, you are just plain overstocked. It will help to remove some of the nitrAte, but that is what PWC's are for. I do a 50% PWC in my planted tank for what its worth.
You need to use the old foam bar, that will be a large portion of your bacteria when adding the new biomax beads. Putting in a new foam bar on top of the new bio-max would surely make your cycle VERY bad.
We generally frown upon using chemical treatments for various preventable issues. The Microbe Lift would fall into the category of chemicals we do not care for.
I think you also need to think about getting rid of at least one of your fish. Preferably the clown loach since it is still very young. They can get as large as your sharks, and you already have a bioload that is most likely too much for your tank (or require very frequent large PWC's).
Plants are a good option but that brings a whole new area of study and care. And for any realistic impact in your tank you would need heavy planting with fast growers, and then you risk deficiencies and algae.
You need to use the old foam bar, that will be a large portion of your bacteria when adding the new biomax beads. Putting in a new foam bar on top of the new bio-max would surely make your cycle VERY bad.
We generally frown upon using chemical treatments for various preventable issues. The Microbe Lift would fall into the category of chemicals we do not care for.
I think you also need to think about getting rid of at least one of your fish. Preferably the clown loach since it is still very young. They can get as large as your sharks, and you already have a bioload that is most likely too much for your tank (or require very frequent large PWC's).
Plants are a good option but that brings a whole new area of study and care. And for any realistic impact in your tank you would need heavy planting with fast growers, and then you risk deficiencies and algae.