PH & nitrites high

[Drekkyk]

Carbon loses it's effectiveness after a few weeks, and it isn't really needed. I would continue to use the same media for as long as possible...Just rinse it out every 2 weeks with old tank water. If you still have some of your old carbon and it isn't contaminated by sitting in a garbage can I would go ahead and throw some in there. If any of the bacteria survived it would help by shortening your cycle.

 

[IceH2O]

What type of filter are you using?

Knowing that will help us determine what medis you could best use, maybe we can suggest 2 types so you can clean/replace one and still have the other in there so you don't cycle over and over.

 

[chvojka]

The filter is a tetra that came with the tank the media is a whisper cartridge filter it is a white fiber pouch with a plastic frame that has carbon in it. I've been adding more carbon thinking that was the problem.

 

[budrecki]

You don't need carbon, you need an ammonia test kit. Please post numbers for ammonia and nitrite after you test.

 

[IceH2O]

The filter is a tetra that came with the tank the media is a whisper cartridge filter it is a white fiber pouch with a plastic frame that has carbon in it. I've been adding more carbon thinking that was the problem.

Could you possibly shove 2 of the biobags without carbon into the media area? That way you could change/rinse 1 out at a time alternating weeks. If possible you could also do 1 biobag and 1 thin sponge. Whichever works better for you.