Canister cleaning question

Agree with that! The water will probably continue to look better as you keep up with cleanings. The noodles tend to "self clean" as they get decent water flowing through them. The excess bacterial bunches will wash off of them. I'd maybe try to clean once a month (the sponge) and see how things even out for you. You can then determine what works best for you;)
 
Gonna' take a guess...But in the 2nd pic, it looks as though there is a chunk of wood (on the right side)...If so, it's most liekly leaching tannins into your water, which is causing the tea coloration. Not a big thing, easily removed with cardon if you choose. Many fish actually prefer the water that way.

As for the cleaning--looks like a seriously understocked tank, so I doubt there was much detritus build up in your filter. While I suggest cleaning it on a schedule, no reason to freak out. Maybe twice a year? Whatever works and doesn't muck up the tank, I say.

I rinse my sponges under tap water weekly and have never had any problems, and my water is very chlorinated. Never had a problem. I think soaking them would cause a problem, but not a rinsing.
 
C'mon, I said "...use dechlorinated water to rinse the MEDIA..."! Sure, clean the d@%$ sponge if you want in chlorinated water, but I would be cautious of cleaning the noodles like this too!:mad:
Uh oh, he's upset...look out...:rolleyes:

I think OrionGirl hit it on the head!
(Except the sponge part:rolleyes: ;) )
 
Beviking, both of us are AGREEING with you about how to clean stuff, we are just explaining to Superjonny in more detail how WE clean each part of the media. No problems with your ideas.
 
You mean you're not all ganging up on me? Whew!!
:rolleyes: :D
 
I really like having a fish tank, but I really don't like where I went with this one. I am really tired of the plastic plants... they're just so ugly. I don't really know what to do though, from what I've read "high" tanks don't make great plant tanks. Plus my light is pretty small (like 20w)... so I'd need like 3 more lights at least. Then my substrate is just all rocks most of which are >4mm. Again, from what I've read 2mm is better because stuff doesn't die in the crevices. I dunno what to do :)

I think over the next few months I'm going to transition my tank to a plant tank and trade my fish in for Angel's... they're prettier anyway :)

I appreciate the input and help though. I'll be a little more diligent about cleaning my filter from now on.
 
Originally posted by OrionGirl
Gonna' take a guess...But in the 2nd pic, it looks as though there is a chunk of wood (on the right side)...If so, it's most liekly leaching tannins into your water, which is causing the tea coloration. Not a big thing, easily removed with cardon if you choose. Many fish actually prefer the water that way.

-cut-

Yes, there are two rather large pieces of wood in the tank. I bought them at a fish store (talk about getting ripped off, that's like $20 worth of wood :rolleyes: ) What do you mean this is "easily removed with cardon"?

muchos gracias
 
Originally posted by superjohnny


Yes, there are two rather large pieces of wood in the tank. I bought them at a fish store (talk about getting ripped off, that's like $20 worth of wood :rolleyes: ) What do you mean this is "easily removed with cardon"?

muchos gracias

she means that if you put activated carbon in the canister as filter media then it will absorb the chemicals from the water and clear it up. just check your lfs for some fulval carbon media and stick in there.
 
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