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Re: replacing bio-filter media « Result #3 on May 14, 2013, 4:57pm »
Thanks for the explanation, Carl. That makes sense. I generally don't follow the recommended media changing times on product packaging for most things. I just wait until something seems like it needs changed (like foam filter pads), but I wasn't sure how to determine that with the bio-chem stars. It's probably been about a year since I've changed them, so I suppose it won't hurt to swap some out with fresh ones.
Joined: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 5,709 Karma: 66
Re: replacing bio-filter media « Result #4 on May 14, 2013, 1:41pm »
The reason API suggests this is that the surface that the bacteria cling to tends to get more "slimy" over time allowing for less space for the desirable bacteria to colonize.
A good way to visualize is if you have a sponge filter that has been used for some time, you will note that it does not rinse out as well over time and gets more spongy/squishy.
This said, your bio stars (& sponges) still are working just a bit less over time. Also I think 6 months is a bit aggressive under most aquarium conditions; I generally only change out 25-50% per year.
replacing bio-filter media « Result #5 on May 14, 2013, 10:14am »
I've got a question about biofiltration media. I use bio-chem stars in my canister filters. API recommends replacing half of them every 6 months. Why is that necessary? I rinse them off every month when I clean the filter out and they don't get slimy or anything. In reading Carl's article about filter media, it seems that clogging and sliminess is more of a problem with ceramic rings.
I was thinking about trying a different type of bio-filter media (volcanic rock or Sea chem Matrix), but it seems like the bio-chem stars are just fine for my purposes. I have plants, so I don't think I need to worry about de-nitrifying media. I was just curious as to why they would need to be replaced every 6 months.
Now I added activated carbon filter cartridge and a bag of Purigen in the filter canister. The bag is good for 100 Gal, I only have 20 Gal, isn't it too big for my tank?
You should be OK, you just do not need to leave it in very long to help, maybe a day
Joined: Mar 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 20 Karma: 0
Re: Help needed to fight Columnaris « Result #9 on May 13, 2013, 4:47pm »
Now I added activated carbon filter cartridge and a bag of Purigen in the filter canister. The bag is good for 100 Gal, I only have 20 Gal, isn't it too big for my tank?
What should I do now? Should I keep adding ParaGuard for a couple more days just in case? I have one medium and one big Medicated wonder shell too.
Joined: Mar 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 20 Karma: 0
Re: Help needed to fight Columnaris « Result #10 on May 13, 2013, 4:44pm »
I finished ParaGuard/Triple Sulfa treatment yesterday. That is full course of Triple Sulfa (four applications), but Para Guard can be added longer if necessary. The sick tetra layed down on the ground completely by the time when I began treatment, he was rising only to get some brine shrimps (other food on some reason he couldn't eat, only brine shrimps he could swallow). During the treatment cories appeared more active, as they are now, so I hope, the treatment was useful.
Today I replaced the gravel. I realized by looking at the tetra lying on the gravel, as his belly became red, that my gravel IS coarse. It's strange, that it's very fine and at the same time it is coarse (kind of a contradiction). It's a Hawaiian black sand bough on e-bay, that has its grain very fine, but obviously very hard too (and sharp?). I though such a fine sand would be perfect for cories, but that was my mistake. Cories' barbels and lower fins became shorter with time, as they were sanded. Today I put all the fish in a bucket removed the sand and put instead Eco-Complete planted aquarium gravel. It has bigger grain, looks coarser at the first sight, that's why i didn't put it before. I hope it will help. As I took my Clown Pleco out of the tank to replace the gravel I noticed (My goodness!) his side fins (like little wings) are red at the ends. Poor creature he was all the time digging under the piece of wood and also sanded his fins till bleeding! And I never noticed it, because he was hiding!
Joined: Mar 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 20 Karma: 0
Re: LED advice, please « Result #11 on May 13, 2013, 4:21pm »
Thank you, Carl. I'm reading the articles. Good that I asked you before investing in this light. The only problem I preview with another light is that it has to be retrofitted in restricted space inside Eclipse 2 hood and it needs to have a cover from water. I wonder if GroBeam has some kind of protection?
Re: A clean slate « Result #12 on May 11, 2013, 5:00pm »
I'm used to keeping a gravel siphon kinked while cleaning my 10 gallon shrimp tank (and I STILL almost always suck up baby shrimp!), so that might not be too difficult.
I've got a couple of big decorative rocks in there now. I'm definitely tired of them, so they are absolutely going to be out of the future tank.
We'll see. I've got some research to do, and my fish aren't dead yet, so there's time. Somewhere around here I have a "wish list" of fish I've been thinking about keeping. Now I just have to remember where I put it...
Re: A clean slate « Result #15 on May 11, 2013, 12:35pm »
Sorry to hear that your fish have been dying off. I have similar going on with very old fish as well. The sand and cichlids sounds like a really cool idea. I haven't ever had sand substrate so I can't give advice on cleaning. However, I personally find tanks with sand quite beautiful. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your new setup when you restart!
Joined: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 5,709 Karma: 66
Re: Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle « Result #16 on May 10, 2013, 6:39pm »
We have updated the Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle article once more with some new pictures, information and more changes to the layout for easier reading of this long article
Joined: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 5,709 Karma: 66
Re: Sick and Aging Fish « Result #17 on May 10, 2013, 9:19am »
Quote:
I have been soaking the food. I do hope that my doing so isn't just mixing the wondershell in with tank water however. Since I soak the food when I feed the fish and I don't feed the fish a ton, I use very little water for soaking. I think that I may be losing some of the wondershell to the water I soak the food in for this reason. It is a bit easier for the 40 gallon, but for the 10 gallon which only has one 3-inch or so goldfish, Foneme, soaking well without losing too much wondershell to the tank water seems impossible. Any suggestions? Thanks.
It is OK to lose some of the Wonder Shell to the water, no difference than leaving a Wonder Shell to dissolve in the water
Quote:
Hopefully Puon is on the mend, although it definitely is strange that its spine would be straightening out on its own... could it have gotten sucked against a filter intake or something and then somehow managed to pull free?
Good point/question?
Either way is is nice to see a positive response to your care/treatment
Joined: Aug 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 5,709 Karma: 66
Re: A clean slate « Result #18 on May 10, 2013, 9:04am »
Quote:
Another thing I was tossing around was removing the gravel and replacing it with a finer substrate and getting some of those silly shell-dwelling cichlids, or other fish that like sandy substrate. I've never had sand before though...is it hard to keep clean without vacuuming it all up?
Yes IMO, it takes a very soft touch along with constant "kinking" of the hose to prevent sand from being sucked up.
One way I have dealt with a fine sand in both marine and freshwater aquariums is to place about 1/2" of medium gravel on top of the sand to trap larger debris and make vacuuming easier and lessen the chance of Hydrogen sulfide build-up
This idea may defeat the the purpose of having fine sand for shell dwelling Cichlids, but if the layer of more coarse gravel is light enough, this should not present to much of a problem .
BTW, good luck with your aquarium overhaul, which often is a good way to re-kindle interest in your aquarium
A clean slate « Result #19 on May 9, 2013, 8:52pm »
The population of my 30 gallon tank has been declining lately, partly because really old fish are dying off and partly because something has been wrong with some of my harlequin rasboras since I got them and it's finally catching up with them.
And I figure since I'm so frustrated with the plants anyway, I might just to an almost complete tear down and start over. I'll probably keep the gravel, but I'm thinking about getting rid of the rocks I've had in there and getting a long piece of drift wood or something.
My LFS has a trade in program for lights, so I traded in the T5 fixture I had and got a basic Marineland Double Bright LED fixture. I know it's not the best LED light, but I'm probably just going to go back down to low-light requirement plants.
Another thing I was tossing around was removing the gravel and replacing it with a finer substrate and getting some of those silly shell-dwelling cichlids, or other fish that like sandy substrate. I've never had sand before though...is it hard to keep clean without vacuuming it all up?
Re: Sick and Aging Fish « Result #20 on May 9, 2013, 8:33pm »
Sorry to see that you're having so many difficulties with fish, Renee.
Hopefully Puon is on the mend, although it definitely is strange that its spine would be straightening out on its own... could it have gotten sucked against a filter intake or something and then somehow managed to pull free?
Congrats to Suzie-Q for Betta: "Big Blue" who took first in his class at GBS !
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I have similar going on with very old fish as well. The sand and cichlids sounds like a really cool idea. 
I haven't ever had sand substrate so I can't give advice on cleaning. However, I personally find tanks with sand quite beautiful. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your new setup when you restart!