Hello, everyone. This forum has already been helpful to me, and I just began today. Thank you all. I have two questions. The first: if adding (after subtracting) water to the tank, one gallon at a time (as in a partial water change), how do you put the dechlorinating chemicals in? A small amount in each gallon, or all at once at the beginning or end? And my second question is about a new undergravel filter that I can't figure out. The instructions talk about flow-through and non-flow-through...I think this means between the two plates. But initially I thought it meant flowing from under the gravel. So, now I have removed the flow-through knockouts, and have also taken out both of the uplift tube knock-out holes, so the two square plates butt up together, and there are two uplift tubes to which I can connect my airhoses. I think maybe I did this wrong. The instructions say that you should only take out one tube-assembly knockout, if you're going to have the plates open to each other to flow through. No one at the pet store can figure out what I'm even talking about. The brand is Top Fin. Thanks again to all.
adding chemicals, and undergravel filters
- Thread starter ellray
- Start date
Hello Ellray, and welcome to Aquaria Central, home of many knowledgable fish hobbiests.
About your first question, you can add all of your new water to your tank at once, then add your declorinator.
Concerining your secound question about the undergravel filter, I do not have and experience with under gravel filters (UGFs), but someone who does know about them will help you out.
I personally add dechlorinator to a bucket, add the water and wait a while before adding to the tank. Not necessary on a brand new tank of course, in that case just add the dechlorinator to the tank and fill it.
As far as the UGF, there are usually some thick rubber bands that hold the two plates together, after the between plate knockouts have been removed. If you have two uplift tubes, you would knockout the round hole in the back corner of each plate and 'plug' the uplift tubes into the holes. Cover the gravel plates with about 1/2 inch of gravel. You then drop airstones to the bottom of each uplift tube and turn on your airpump.
If you only have one uplift tube but you knocked out both holes, you can either buy a second uplift tube or buy a new UGF.
Be sure to break down and clean under the gravel plates once per year.
good luck
As far as the UGF, there are usually some thick rubber bands that hold the two plates together, after the between plate knockouts have been removed. If you have two uplift tubes, you would knockout the round hole in the back corner of each plate and 'plug' the uplift tubes into the holes. Cover the gravel plates with about 1/2 inch of gravel. You then drop airstones to the bottom of each uplift tube and turn on your airpump.
If you only have one uplift tube but you knocked out both holes, you can either buy a second uplift tube or buy a new UGF.
Be sure to break down and clean under the gravel plates once per year.
good luck
I would go with adding dechlorinator to a bucket also. I find this to be particularly important in my smaller tank. On my 150G tank however, I do use a python to refill the tank, so I add some dechlorinator to the stream of water as it is filling. I haven't had any problems yet.
I've never seen 2 plates that you rubber band together, mine always snapped together. Even if they are open to each other (flow through), I don't see why you couldn't have both uplift tubes working. If you want to cover up one hole, though, all you have to do is cut some food-grade plastic (I've used margarine container lids), bend a little of 1 end to fit into a slat opening and then carefully place some gravel on top to hold it down.
Re: the dechlorinator issue, I don't think it makes much difference. You can add it all before (my preference), all after, or a little bit at a time as you add water. Just make sure you add it!
Jim
Jim