Bryon23

Ok I just purchased a 20g tank starter kit. It's been running for about 48 hrs now. I was going to add some fish to it tomorrow but I'm a little worried about the filter.

It came with a Top Fin 20 power filter. I not sure on the quality of the filter. Is it going to last? Is it going to do an adequate job?

Should I just upgrade now before I add the fish and start the cycle? If so what should I upgrade to?

Also my current levels are pH 7.8, A 0 PPM, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate 5.0 ppm. Not sure why the Nitrate level is 5.0 ppm but I tested it 3x using the API Mater test kit. Maybe its just my eyes!

I was thinking about getting a few Zebra Danios to start it. Thank you for the help in advance the last time I had a tank was about 15 years ago and I never tested the water. So this is very new to me.

Shawnie

Hi bryon ..welcome to fishlore!! seeing how you know about the cycle, we reccomend doing it fishless...that way the fish dont get poisioned and you dont loose any during the cycle...heres a link that will help

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

there wont be any ammonia or nitrites in the tank because theres nothing there to account for it..i bet if you test your tap water, it has some nitrates in it probably...goodluck...

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

The Top Fin honestly probably won't last a real long time, but it might. When/if you want to replace it, I like the Penquin Biowheel filters.

I second what Shawnie said about the cycling and water chemistry. It really is easier and faster to cycle without the fish.

Peterpiper

Hi and welcome to fishlore,
Years ago we cycled with fish, if you can, use the ammonia method to cycle, its fast, clean and no fish suffers. Or use the dead shrimp method, takes a little longer than the ammonia method, but still better than using fish.

Tom

IMO, you should always upgrade your filter. Only because it will give your fish a cleaner home. But it is up to you if you want to spend a little extra cash to make your fish happy and healthy.
Tom

Bryon23

Ok I'm going to try the ammonia method to cycle the tank. Which brings me back to my original dilemma. Should I replace the filter now before the tank cycles I would hate to cycle it then decide or worse find out I need a new filter!

Also I just tested the tap water and you where right on! 5.0 ppm of nitrate straight from the tap! I'm guessing that won't be an issue?

Thanks for all the help and the quick responses! Also has anyone used Biospira? If so does it really cycle the tank in 24 hrs seems far fetched to me but then agian I'm just a newbie.

Shawnie

I used it but infortunately, I had fish because I didnt know about this amazing site...but YES it does cycle it as it says...I would get a new filter first, as many have said above..because thats where most of the beneficial bacteria will settle and you dont need to throw it away and put the tank back to a mini cycle...goodluck and great job going fishless !

Bryon23

A Happy/Healthy fish makes for a happy me! Ok so if I upgrade should I go bigger? What I have read so far it seems like you can never go to big.

It seems like the Top Fin filter would require you to replace the filter cartridge every month but thats all thats in there. So if I would replace it and theres nothing else in there won't I lose some good bacteria I have built up? I'm not sure what a good filter should have in it. I thought it should have a sponge that would stay with it and just gets cleaned in the tank water? Am I far off?

Shawnie

read cobettacouples response to your thread...I agree with his choice ...and deffinately bigger is better on the filters

SereneReyn

even if you just go with a better HOB filter, you can slightly alter the media used. dump out the carbon and just use the floss stuff, even stuff more inside where the carbon would go, etc... plus with a bio-wheel, that will house a decent colony of bacteria... but with only floss/sponge media, you would only rarely have to completely replace it (when it's totally falling apart). instead, to clean it, just scoop some water from your fish tank into a bucket and thoroughly rinse out the pad/floss/sponge in there. do NOT use tap water for this, the chlorine will kill bacteria.

Bryon23

Thanks for the replies! I see what you are saying. The floss is a pouch that opens up. So I would not have to replace the whole thing just remove the carbon pellets inside. That makes sense.

Calab

I'm a noob, so this might be out in left field, but if you ran the 20 for a while and then decided to upgrade, couldn't you just run both filters for a couple weeks to keep your current bacteria and start a fresh batch in the new filter?