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Post by Carl on Oct 8, 2008 9:15:06 GMT -5
Ok lets see if I have this right, feed less, which I really only put a few flakes in there, soak the flakes first for a few min get a couple of oto's and rinse out the sponge filter more then once a week, and add aqua clear to water? Did I miss anything? Sorry the confusion! Let me clarify myself: *Rinse the Sponge Filter AND the Aqua Clear sponges more often than once per week in de-chlorinated water (do not use straight tap water as this could kill the nitrifying bacteria in these sponges). Also make sure there is not other organic mulm in your Aqua Clear filter that is left behind when the sponge insert is cleaned/rinsed. *I am not saying to feed less, but to feed smaller amounts more frequently and try and soak the food in a water briefly and then swirl into the water so that it stays suspended in the middle strata of water as long as possible.. I have a tank with a surface skimmer so I have to mix my food with water otherwise the surface skimmer would quickly remove the food I feed. Carl
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Post by cashay on Oct 9, 2008 6:14:36 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification Carl, But I think we still have a mis communication... (which is ok) because I understand what you are saying... But I dont have an aqua clear sponge filter I have a whisper that doesn't use a sponge looks like a little refill bag with charcoal or something in it. plus the hydro sponge from you, but I know to keep that one rinsed....... and I do change the other "bag filter" every four weeks, The food always sank as soon as I put it in, at least the granules did, but of course will try soaking the flakes first. and hope all will be well, Thanks! to everyone.
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Post by Carl on Oct 9, 2008 12:29:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification Carl, But I think we still have a mis communication... (which is ok) because I understand what you are saying... But I dont have an aqua clear sponge filter I have a whisper that doesn't use a sponge looks like a little refill bag with charcoal or something in it. plus the hydro sponge from you, but I know to keep that one rinsed....... and I do change the other "bag filter" every four weeks, The food always sank as soon as I put it in, at least the granules did, but of course will try soaking the flakes first. and hope all will be well, Thanks! to everyone. You're right, I do not know why I thought you had an Aqua Clear Filter. As to Whispers, many models have a sponge insert so as to save bacterial colonies from the "trash" during filter changes. If you have this one this should be rinsed in de-chlorinated water often. If not, or even if so I would recommend rinsing the bio bag more often or simply changing the bag part and then rinsing the media inside so as to preserve bacteria, yet remove as many organics as possible. Carl
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Post by eve on Oct 10, 2008 3:26:11 GMT -5
whisper filters are one of my favorites
as for the exchange what I do is the following i rinse the filtermedia when the flow gets slower, as with all my other filters
as for the charcol, or whatever you call that, that's actually carbon
just open the bag about every 6-8 weeks, and take out the old carbon, and refill with new one and then just simply rinse it under cold water and replace it in your filter that way no loss of good bacteria and no recycling danger
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Post by Carl on Oct 10, 2008 10:27:32 GMT -5
whisper filters are one of my favorites as for the exchange what I do is the following i rinse the filtermedia when the flow gets slower, as with all my other filters as for the charcol, or whatever you call that, that's actually carbon just open the bag about every 6-8 weeks, and take out the old carbon, and refill with new one and then just simply rinse it under cold water and replace it in your filter that way no loss of good bacteria and no recycling danger This is another way of preserving bacteria in Whisper filters (especially those without the bio sponge that most of the larger models have). However I have to respectfully disagree with your time line in THIS case as my point was not that she had a bio filtration problem (her water parameters indicated an established bio filter) but that she had high DOC (dissolved organic compounds) based on her water parameters and that she needs to clean her filter of as much organics as possible all the while not destroying bacteria. See too low pH/KH section here: Aquarium GH, KH, pH, CalciumCarl
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Post by cashay on Oct 10, 2008 13:38:08 GMT -5
whisper filters are one of my favorites
as for the exchange what I do is the following i rinse the filtermedia when the flow gets slower, as with all my other filters
as for the charcol, or whatever you call that, that's actually carbon
just open the bag about every 6-8 weeks, and take out the old carbon, and refill with new one and then just simply rinse it under cold water and replace it in your filter that way no loss of good bacteria and no recycling danger
My bags dont open.... they are disposable ..let me see if i can get a pic on here of my filter, well I have been going through all my pics, I will have to wait until I get home a take another.. oh well
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Post by Carl on Oct 10, 2008 14:55:46 GMT -5
I know these disposable Whisper Bio Bags are made, I would recommend buying the bulk boxes of Bio Bags that includes frames. These are a better value and more importantly allow you to open and reuse material which is a selling point of the Whisper Filter. Where did you purchase your Whisper, is it from Wallys or similar? The reason I ask is they sell a Whisper Filter made just for sell at mass marketers that do not often include the Bio Bag and even more importantly do not include the Bio Sponge insert. Luckily many stores sell the Bio Sponge Insert for the Whisper separately. Here is the sponge insert: Bio Bag: Carl
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Post by cashay on Oct 10, 2008 15:17:21 GMT -5
yep, that's it.. ;D I didn't know they did all that, cool I actually got mine with the tank from wally's, And the ones i get usually have about 4 in the box. I'm glad you knew what I was talking about, I just change the bags every 4 weeks, so it would be cheaper to buy the carbon huh and just replace... Or can i get the sponge to replacee the bag? or do you put them both in the canister together???
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Post by Carl on Oct 10, 2008 15:48:17 GMT -5
yep, that's it.. ;D I didn't know they did all that, cool I actually got mine with the tank from wally's, And the ones i get usually have about 4 in the box. I'm glad you knew what I was talking about, I just change the bags every 4 weeks, so it would be cheaper to buy the carbon huh and just replace... Or can i get the sponge to replacee the bag? or do you put them both in the canister together??? The Sponge insert fits in front of the Bio Bag, it is not meant to replace it. I personally recommend changing the bio bag once per week and then just rinsing the carbon media once or twice per week or you can rinse the bag as well, although the bags do not hold up to rinsings well. The main point I want to make is that all though once every 4-8 weeks may be fine in many circumstances, however in your case we need to find a way to lower your DOC of which this MAY be part of the source. I would also consider your gravel and make sure that it is not the source as well (especially with colored gravel) See the GH/KH/pH article in the section about pH/KH problems: CALCIUM, ELECTROLYTES, AND MAGNESIUM IN AQUARIUMS; How to maintain a Proper KH & PH, why calcium and electrolytes are important.
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Oct 10, 2008 16:35:31 GMT -5
Cashay, I'm sure i'll be able to help you with feeding your tetras once I get some. Of course, that'll be a little while down the road but I'd love to help if feeding is at all still an issue.
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Post by cashay on Oct 13, 2008 8:56:47 GMT -5
I'm not sure if it is still an issue.... I have soaked the flakes up to 5 mins before dropping into tank and they still sink and hit bottom before they go after it, They stay at the back of the tank mostly, they act like they are still pretty skiddish, as soon as I come near the tank they zoom around the tank, at the back of it. (nothing like my betta that would greet me! ) I have seen them dart to the top to get the food and to the bottom of the tank. The only time I seen them get it while it was in the middle of the tank is the very first day I brought them home ... like they were starving! I actually thought that was pretty cool, thinking I hope i can watch them eat like that all the time, but they don't they act like they are really scared all the time and zoom around the tank... I will look for the sponges that fit inside w/ the bio bags I haven't noticed anything like that but will look today, And Carl if you really think it is the colored gravel, what should I get white? or tan?
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Post by Carl on Oct 13, 2008 9:20:02 GMT -5
Cash; I only recommend soaking the flakes as long as it takes to get the flakes to SLOWLY sink and suspend in the water, this will take some practice and will vary depending on the flake food used. The objective is to suspend the flakes in the middle strata of water as long as possible, which is admittedly easier said than done. Generally when I am successful, the flakes are only heavy enough to sink temporarily and then tend to float back up. This may be harder to achieve with heavy/dense flakes (which Tetra Min tends to be). Consider feeding Frozen or FD Bloodworms as Cardinials usually like these, as well try another brand Flake food. If your gravel is the source of any organic mulm due to pealing, I would recommend a natural gravel which has no coating to peal (& replacing your gravel gradually) See this picture for a suggestion: See this article: www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2006/08/aquarium-gravel-which-size.htmlI want to also point out that we are making guesses that the problem lies anaerobic bacteria and DOC production. The problem may be something else, such as a pathogen that the fish came with (which is unfortunately common with these Tetras from what I have seen). Another consideration is adding SeaChem ParaGuard to your tank or a Medicated Wonder ShellIs it possible to get a close up picture your fish? Carl
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Post by Carl on Oct 13, 2008 9:28:37 GMT -5
One more thought, fish that are skiddish generally indicates stress whether is be water conditions (including temperature), other fish, or disease. I know this is not an answer, but finding out why is the key, whether improving water and/or correcting a disease problem (or if you have other fish that are bothering them, which I do not think you have)
Carl
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Post by cashay on Oct 13, 2008 9:31:10 GMT -5
I understand Carl that all this is guessing And I really appreciate all the help and advice I can get ,I will try anything to learn and to keep them healthy, the reason I said I have soaked the flakes that long is because I have tried the 1,2,3,4,5 minutes, each time I fed them I tried a minute more, to see if I could find a good equal.... But I guess I have the heavy flakes, I have not went to the fish store to get the omega yet. i know it doesn't cost much for the foods but I have like four containers of food from trying different types, and I really hate to waste them. (is that selfish?) As far as the gravel, I haven't noticed any pealing, but I have seen the dust, after 9 months in use.... (unless that is the same thing) The water doesn't change the color of gravel, I just notice the dust when i vacuum..
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Post by cashay on Oct 13, 2008 9:50:02 GMT -5
no no other fish to bother them, so I would think it was the water condition, or temps the temps are staying around 76 degree's with out heater, the last time I checked the parameters they were good of course except for the KH that was a little low, I am definitely wanting to know the key to the cause, so what ever you think I will try, I'm not at home right now to check anything, but I will try changing the bio bags more often then every four weeks to see if this helps any.. I guess we will have to try that before we try anything else right? to see if that is the cause? I will try and get a close up tonight when I get home, But like I said before they are some fast little suckers!!! ;D
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Post by Carl on Oct 13, 2008 10:08:43 GMT -5
no no other fish to bother them, so I would think it was the water condition, or temps the temps are staying around 76 degree's with out heater, the last time I checked the parameters they were good of course except for the KH that was a little low, I am definitely wanting to know the key to the cause, so what ever you think I will try, I'm not at home right now to check anything, but I will try changing the bio bags more often then every four weeks to see if this helps any.. I guess we will have to try that before we try anything else right? to see if that is the cause? I will try and get a close up tonight when I get home, But like I said before they are some fast little suckers!!! ;D Try increasing the temperatures to 80 F or even as high as 86 temporarily in case of Ich. Cardinals like warm water. I am not stating that 76 F is the problem, but generally I have kept Cardinals in warmer aquariums. Carl
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Post by cashay on Oct 13, 2008 10:21:12 GMT -5
ok I will have to go buy a heater, i haven't had to buy one yet in the last nine months! ( good temps here) but will try to find one good enough for a 5 gallon dont want to burn them up!
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Post by Carl on Oct 13, 2008 11:24:14 GMT -5
ok I will have to go buy a heater, i haven't had to buy one yet in the last nine months! ( good temps here) but will try to find one good enough for a 5 gallon dont want to burn them up! A good heater should not "burn them up", such as a submersible thermostatic 50 watt Heater. Please look over this article: Aquarium Answers; HeatersCarl
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Post by cashay on Oct 14, 2008 6:44:19 GMT -5
Ok I am trying to get this picture from my photo bucket that will not post here today for some reason, It is the only close up that i have of the tetra's although it still isnt the best picture,
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Post by Carl on Oct 14, 2008 10:32:12 GMT -5
Ok I am trying to get this picture from my photo bucket that will not post here today for some reason, It is the only close up that i have of the tetra's although it still isnt the best picture, You can send any pictures to m email in my profile if need be. You can also send me your photobucket address, since I do not have yours (that is if yours is not locked) Carl
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