View Full Version : filter??? good or bad
daytonaguy1111
06-20-2003, 12:40 PM
I have a aqua tech filter i purchased from wal-mart before i started readin about filters and how changing the filterpad will take away my bacteria home.. what should i do ? should i buy another filter type with the wheel thing or what? i mean other than that the filter is workin great its the kind that hangs on the back and sucks water from the bottom and all ..any info would be great
SpiritualSniper
06-20-2003, 12:43 PM
i used an aqua tech and just put an aqua clear 200 sponge in it. worked for me. if you do that, though, be sure it is pressing against all sides and at top, so water has to go through it to get out.
Keep some test kits, check things out every so often (ammonia, nitrites) and if every thing reads zero then the filter is doing its job. JUst take the cartridge out when you clean the tank once a week or every other week and rinse the filter cartridge in the old tank water to get rid of gunk, while keeping the good bacteria alive. If it starts to look bad then replace it, but by then you should have a well established bacteria bed in the tank. You should be able to keep the cartridge for many months, unless there is some need for new carbon (ie medication). I use a similar filter (whisper) on a small tank and I just shoved some extra filter floss (really cheap at Walmart) and that way if I have to change the cartridge then I still have a little bacteria still left.
daytonaguy1111
06-20-2003, 1:05 PM
sounds good ... also anyadvice for my other post about the foam? thanx for the help the tank looks great im just really tryin to keep everything great for the fish ...i just did a little water change on it since im only 4 weeks into the cycle process. should i be doing water changes at all ? thanx jon
Only do water changes if there are fish in the tank. Otherwsie don't do water changes. You need to make sure the levels of ammonia get high enough for the right bacteria to form in the cycle. But if you have already added fish then keep doing small water changes to keep the ammonia levels as close to zero as possible.
daytonaguy1111
06-20-2003, 1:23 PM
thank you so much i just did a small one and took out the little foam and it looks great thanks again