Broke EF
Aquarium Advice Activist
After reading ALL day, I ordered the Fluval 306
Sean
Sean
Well its update time! As usual there is good and bad news to report. I guess we will start with the bad, since it kind of leads into the good. I have been fighting a cloudy tank for a little while now. I did a water change a few days early (about 50%) and it helped it for about a day. I kind of assumed it had something to do with my filter, and shrugged it off since I had the Fluval 306 on the way. Well the filter came in yesterday, but I was waiting to set it up. See, if you didn't already know I am a little OCD and because of that I had to make a change to the Fluval. The newer "06" models have a white/clear intake and discharge with white connectors (to a black hose), well that wouldn't do for me. So I ordered up the older "05" pieces, which are like a smoked black, with a black connector.
Anyway, I wanted to wait until I had all of the parts to set it all up. I still went ahead and rinsed everything and installed the gasket etc.. Well a little later I decided that I wanted to get it set up and going to start seeding it. So I go by the tank, and I was in the cabinet digging around and I looked and saw a dead Panda under my driftwood I assume he was there for a while, at least a few days and that was causing the cloudiness. So now I had to drain the tank, move the wood, get the dead fish out, move the tank, and set up the filter. The reason for moving the tank was to more permanently set up the filter on the side, so I had to move it over on the stand. I got all that done, and fixed my bubble wall that I pulled out when I started everything! It was probably an 80-90% water change, and then went to bed (late).
That brings us to the good news. The new filter is awesome, super quiet, and moves a ton of water! The tank is looking a lot more clear, AND the best part is all of the fish seem a LOT happier today!!! The Panda's have been kind of lax lately, which I assumed was because I had turned up the water temp, but today they were playing around! The tetras were a lot more active as well, and everyone was getting along great!
Also my Starlight Pleco should be on its way somewhat soon! Then I can add in the GBR's and the angel. Quick question, how long should I run both filters to seed the new one?
Sean
OK, so I put one of the filter pads in the canister, I couldn't fit both. They have both been running now for about a week. Fish seem very happy, and all of them are doing well. I moved my driftwood to get the dead fish, and when I put it back it created a shady spot. The panda's seem to love hanging out there now when they are not playing around
On to the bad news. My tank is still cloudy!!! I tested my water last night and it was,
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 10-15ppm (maybe a touch darker than 10)
PH: over 7.6 (just like always)
I didn't test High Range PH, because I was thinking it may have crashed. I did a 50% water change last night, and I didn't get a good look at the tank yet today. I dont think I am over feeding, and the sand seems clean. When I do a water change I try and suck up whatever is on the sand, and there really is never anything. I have always read with sand you need to have the tube as close to the sand as possible without sucking it all up. I will usually have it where it is just lifting the sand into the tube. I really never notice anything being pulled up and out though. Is that the wrong way to do this?
I am starting to think that it may just be my water. I am thinking of changing to RO/DI water. I have a lot of questions on that, but I will research for a while first before I just start asking away.
Lets hear everyone's thoughts on this though. I want nice clear water, and happy, healthy fish!!!
Thanks,
Sean