littlejsm

Hi there I have had slightly cloudy water over the last two days but I think that is due to introducing new fish. The tank has been setup for a while now.

I changed the bacterial filter yesterday and want to know how I should do things properly. I then did a 20% water change today. (I think I did things back to front) I have not put the carbon filter in yet, when should I do this? The filter only has one bacterial filter so I put stress coat onto it before putting it into the box.

What needs to be changed more is it the carbon bag or the filter part - should this just be washed in the waste tank water?

Any advice is appreciated thanks!

Shawnie

did you change the filter pad also? and you dont need carbon in a tank unless you plan on buying new carbon every 3 weeks...

littlejsm

I just checked and it was the filter sponge that I changed. It is the activated carbon that comes in a small bag and sits in top of the filter. I think it is a corner filter I have?? Sorry I dont really know as I have just inhereted from a friend. So the filter has a bag of carbon on top and at the bottom has a sponge and then water is pumped through and out an arm taking O2 into the tank. - Does this make sense? (Sorry for my lack of knowledge)

If it is just the sponge that I have changed is this the biological filter? How often do you change these - How long can they just be 'washed in tank water for'?

Shawnie

yes it make sense and changing that probably threw you into a mini cycle because those shouldnt ever be changed unless they are totally falling apart...thats where all your beneficial bacteria is..so if you can find some prime water conditioner, and get your test kit, you should be able to get through this

littlejsm

I have been adding stress coat fish and water conditioner - how often should I do this and how long should I add this for?? All the other fish seem to be looking ok...I HOPE!! Should I do daily water changes? How long can I expect this mini cycle to take to get sorted?

Shawnie

well you need your own test kit so the stores dont sell you needless stuff...stress coat is ok but doesnt neutralize ammonia like stress coat + or prime will...is your stress coat the new +plus version? and daily water changes are necessary...but again, you wont know your water parimeters without a kit

littlejsm

Yes just looked a bit closer and it is the + one. Do I have to change water daily till parimeters come down? And how much water - 20%?

The LFS is actually really good and do test Amon, nitrate, nitrite, pH maybe one or two others for free, while you are there, so I feel ok with them doing it.

Shawnie

all fish stores will test for free all of those things..but most use the test strips which arent very reliable....knowing your own water parimeters at all times will help along the way of fish keeping..but if you feel comfy having them do it, by all means...just remember they have sales on the brain most of the time...and if you have ammonia or nitrites, which you may have now or deffinately will get soon because of the filter change, you need daily 40-50% until the cycle completes again...GREAT on the stress coat + that will help the fishies alot!

littlejsm

thanks!! I will see what the parim.s are at tomorrow and go from there. Will def get a test kit of my own now!! for future reference!