Got it! That makes sense now that I think about it. If it is a 6 and I want it lower but not 0, then a 50% change would bring it down to a 3 anyway. Feeling a little overtired here. The math brain cut out there for a second.I would just do a 50% water change and then allow the cycle to continue. Good luck and please keep us posted!
Yet another newbie
- Thread starter PumpkinPie
- Start date
Personally, I like having a carbon filter, and my HOB also has a seperate biofilter. I don't change the carbon filter out as frequently as the filter box says to; I just rinse off the gunk with tank water or dechlorinated water and scrape a little with my fingers or clean toothbrush. A helpful tip I learned here on the AC) and put it back in.
I guess I use a new one every month or maybe as long as two if it looks good. It really does help with clarity, and as for what it does for the water.... carbon filtration is a proven method of filtration of harmful substances in water.
I really feel it improves the quality of the water that my precious little fishies are breathing. I have taken it out for a period of time when treating my tank for what I thought was ich, and the difference in clarity was substantial. The difference in suspended particles in the water was unmistakable.
I guess I use a new one every month or maybe as long as two if it looks good. It really does help with clarity, and as for what it does for the water.... carbon filtration is a proven method of filtration of harmful substances in water.
I really feel it improves the quality of the water that my precious little fishies are breathing. I have taken it out for a period of time when treating my tank for what I thought was ich, and the difference in clarity was substantial. The difference in suspended particles in the water was unmistakable.
I dunno.... suspended particles are probably not a result of lack of carbon, but more the lack of the extra foam spongie material that the water flows through.
A question: Does the carbon in the filter affect the larger particulate matter, too, or is it the sponge/foam stuff that the carbon is sandwhiched in that does that, or a combination of the two components of a carbon filter?
A question: Does the carbon in the filter affect the larger particulate matter, too, or is it the sponge/foam stuff that the carbon is sandwhiched in that does that, or a combination of the two components of a carbon filter?
I just read through the previous posts, and I think the answer to my question was already posted. Carbon filtration not only removes chemicals and other unwanted compounds in the water, but can help with particulates, which affect clarity, hence the water is much clearer in appearance, and cleaner in general.
How long does the carbon stay active, though. Am I OK rinsing the filter off, cleaning the gunk off the sponge/foam covering, and using a filter for a month or two? Or should I change more often? Thanks for the info.
How long does the carbon stay active, though. Am I OK rinsing the filter off, cleaning the gunk off the sponge/foam covering, and using a filter for a month or two? Or should I change more often? Thanks for the info.
So this morning, my ammonia level is 1ppm. I guess I need to add more ammonia, but I feel like I have added enough for a 10 gallon tank at this point, but it just doesn't seem to be registering. Maybe I will wait until this evening and test it again before adding. I did add Prime yesterday, could that have inactivated some of the ammonia maybe?
No. Prime will de-toxify the ammonia so it doesn't harm fish but it is still available to feed bacteria.
If fishless, add ammonia and let it hold at 4-5 ppm until you see nitrites develop, then hold it at 2-3 ppm.
If fishless, add ammonia and let it hold at 4-5 ppm until you see nitrites develop, then hold it at 2-3 ppm.
Pumpkinpie, it is great that you came here and did your research. I just talked to a customer about why her feeder goldfish died. Come to find out that she had a 2 gallon tank with a goldfish and a pleco in it. I did a water test and the nitrates were out of this world. I explained a few things and now she's looking at getting a 55 gallon tank. I gave her this website so that she could do more research and ask questions just like you are doing. I wished that when I set up our 125 gallons 11 years ago that we knew about fishless cycling.
I'm with bob with carbon. I also use a UV sterilizer on my 125 gallon tank. I love it and I would never run without one for a larger tank with large fish but with that said I wouldn't even bother on a 5 gallon tank and I don't on my 5 gallon.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I'm with bob with carbon. I also use a UV sterilizer on my 125 gallon tank. I love it and I would never run without one for a larger tank with large fish but with that said I wouldn't even bother on a 5 gallon tank and I don't on my 5 gallon.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Hi Pumpkin!
I'm finally catching up with you here.
I'll follow along and see how things progress for you.
I'm finally catching up with you here.
I'll follow along and see how things progress for you.
Hi there!! Thanks so much for telling me about AC!
So, I tested my ammonia today, and it is somewhere between 4 an 8ppm. My test doesn't have increments between 4-8, so I am just guessing. It looks like I can hurry up and wait now.
My plants seem to be dying, which I pretty much expected, but at least it isn't dying fish! I do have one that deems to be doing extremely well, but my sword type pants are all turning brown. Maybe they will help things along as they decompose.
I will report back again once I seem to be making any more progress. For now, I will just test every other day or so and keep researching fish. Thanks everyone!
I am getting some tank "muck" tomorrow from a friend! Woo Hoo! I never thought I would be so excited to get some sludge from a fish tank. 
She has a well established, healthy tank with not problems or illness for a very long time, and said I could take whatever I need.
Her tank is much larger than mine and I am not sure what type of filter she uses. Should I get a handful of gravel? A piece of her filter media? Both? I am so excited! I haven't tested my ammonia today, as it was finally up to somewhere between 4-8 yesterday. I tested my Nitrites today just for fun, and they are just starting to register, so something is definitely starting to brew in there. I am just so excited to get a jump start with her help!
So, any advice on what I should get from her? We are going over tomorrow evening to pick it up.
She has a well established, healthy tank with not problems or illness for a very long time, and said I could take whatever I need. Her tank is much larger than mine and I am not sure what type of filter she uses. Should I get a handful of gravel? A piece of her filter media? Both? I am so excited! I haven't tested my ammonia today, as it was finally up to somewhere between 4-8 yesterday. I tested my Nitrites today just for fun, and they are just starting to register, so something is definitely starting to brew in there. I am just so excited to get a jump start with her help!
So, any advice on what I should get from her? We are going over tomorrow evening to pick it up.
