cleaning question

Ok guys I need more advice...

I have a 55g aquarium with one 30-60 Aqua-Tech filter (wal-mart brand). I have a few tetras, cories, and dainos in there (maybe 10 fish in all). My questions are... should I add another filter? What brands are recommended and what size to add to the existing filter. I am planning on more community fish in the future. How often should I do water changes? And how much? I've been doing water changes every two weeks with a 25% change. Also, I'm doing the siphon hose and bucket routine.... which takes me 3 hours. Does the water changing system that has a hook up to the faucet work well? I was worried about the temperature and if it can do great damage if it isn't the same as what is in the tank. And how about the stress coat, does putting it in the tank water AFTER the new water is added make a big difference? Thanks, to all responses... I'm really enjoying my aquarium and reading these newsgroups.

Try Angelfish... Here's a link on water changes...
http://www.webrbiz.com/angelfish/waterchange.html

Keep On Fishin'

Johnny

Try and get a nice big bucket from a local restaurant when you do your changes. Not only do they allow to only have to fill twice while siphoning but its large size also helps keep the water a regular temp when your refilling your tank. I use the same pump from Wal-Mart and have noticed that the filter doesn't last nearly as long as they say it does. I replace mine about every three weeks and I also have an underground filter in the same tank.

i have the exact same setup, but with an undergravel filter and 2 of the 30-60. Although i also have a great more deal fish than you do. I always reccomend the more filtration the better. I'd say go with these other guys advice and u should be fine.

justin

Do you know the flow rate of the filter? I believe the Aqua-Techs are made by Marineland, which means it should be a good filter, but the real determining factor is the flow rate.

Again, it depends. If your change routine is working well, then don't worry about it. As long as the tank is healthy, you're doing fine.

>Also, I'm doing

I use a Python on all but my 7 gallon tank. It's great- I can do a 40-50% water change on my 90 gallon tank in about 15 minutes. As long as the water you are adding is reasonably close in temp to what is in the tank (I use a 'feel' method- just adjust the balance of hot/cold at the tap till it feels close to the tank temp with my hand), you shouldn't have a problem. Yes, you can add the Stress Coat after you put the new water in or even as you are adding to the tank. Just squirt in what you need for the amount of new water you are adding as the tank fills.

-Mak http://www.thirtytwopaws.com/mak Updates 8/31/03

Down East Regional Chili Cook- off, Sept. 6 Maine State Chili Cook-off, Sept. 7 Wells Harbor Park, Wells, Me Come say Hello to the ChiliCats!

i've been using one of those syphon devices that attaches to a faucet for two years and it works great it comes with a gravel vac....very important

i do a 20% water change every week and my tank sparkles!!! and it takes less than 45 minutes to do it from start to finish

the filter i clean every 6 weeks or so (i have a big fluval)

as for water, well i use those BIG 5 gal jugs you get when you buy water

just fill them up the day before/leave them next to the aquarium so the temp of the water matches that in the tank

my system works great!!!

its not really that intrusive re the fish

as for chemicals/stress coat...remember...only if you need it

Hi chris, here is my advice.

There are only three kinds of filtration systems that are good - Eheim external cannister filters, undergravels and sponge filters. In a tank your size I would consider an Eheim. As you can fill it with any media you want, it can make a good bio/mechanical filter. Undergravels are A+ biofilters, but they are poor mechanical filters so it can be combined with a cannister for optimal results. Simple air operated sponges are cheap, efficient and easy to use. However, for tank larger than 33 gallons, a powerhead operated sponge is needed. Sponge filtration is fairly good biologically and ok mechanically. Hang on the side filters like the aquaclear, the penguin with biowheels ect. are very poor filters. In the hobby, the more expensive does not at all mean the better.

As of water changes, its up to you really. You have to monitor nitrites and nitrates and take into consideration your population. A high nitrate level means you are overdue with your water changes. Large aquariums need less water changes than small ones. I suggest changing 20-25% every two weeks for a normally populated tank. About stress coat, its a waste of money. Most aquarium products are not worth buying. At best they don't do much and at worst, they are highly dangerous. Just use a dechlorinator that neutralizes heavy metals found in tap water as well. That's all I ever used besides natural peat and aquarium salt in my water. The less chemical crap you put in your aquarium the better. But your tropical dealer may tell you the contrary to sell his stuff.