Downward Dog

Hi all,
OK, so I have a new question: algae is back (the reddish-brown stuff) and these are my water readings: Ammo 0, High range pH: 7.8-8.2; nitrate 5; nitrite .50. I've been doing about 30-40% water changes every 1-2 days for what seems like weeks now! I looked under the algae article and I'm underfeeding, using lights less than 10 hrs a day, I've only got 4 fish in my tank, etc. I'm still using the same Aqua Tech filter I started with on April 3rd when I set my tank up. I did rinse it out in my used water last week because it was pretty filthy, but i'm wondering if I need to just change it even if my cycle isn't totally over? Keep part of the old one in as well as the new one for a few days to keep the good bacteria around? I'm just wondering if the filter cartridge has just run out of life and is actually hurting the fish instead of helping them out?

Any ideas would be welcome!
Thanks,
Lenore

Shaner014

A filter cartridge will last until it falls apart, and can remain in a filter for a very long time, given that there is no carbon in it. As long as you rinse it in tank water once a month or so I wouldn't worry about the filter, I wouldn't think that could cause your algae problem.

I don't know much else to add sorry, I would continue the water changes until your nitrites hit 0, and make sure your tank isn't getting direct sunlight

Lucy

As long as you rinse it in used tank water as needed, it'll be fine until it falls apart.
Don't change it especially if you're cycling. You'll be surprised at how long it can last.
Keep extra media in the filter (or tank) for at least 2 weeks to seed it.
Looks like you're so close to the end of the cycle, good job.
I agree, daily water changes until the tank finishes cycling.

Downward Dog

The cartridge has blue fuzzy stuff on one side, then a slotted plastic back with what I can only assume is carbon inside that? I thought I read that carbon can break down over time and release bad things back into your tank water, that's why I suggested that changing it might help. Does that clarify what I meant by filter cartridge?

~Lenore

Shawnie

the algae sounds like diatoms...which is a new tank algae and goes away in time....if you have the carbon inside, and its older than 3-4 weeks old, yes cut a slit and dump out the carbon pieces and put the rest back... id do small daily changes to get past that nitrite stage with your aqua safe..but using test strips, can be an issue because they usually give false readings more than accurate and they arent as reliable as the API liquid kits....great job lenore !! you are on the right track!

prairielilly

I have that same filter, it's tough to remove the carbon when the filter cartridge is wet. What you can do: take a NEW cartridge and use a scissor to cut a slit at the top, about an inch or two long. Use a plastic spoon to scoop out all the carbon - spread the blue stuff a bit so it can fall out, there's ridges in the black plastic part of the cartridge designed to keep it there, so doing this bit with the spoon will get around that. Save the carbon in a ziploc or similar, it'll be useful someday. Then once there's no more carbon left in the cartridge, take your OLD cartridge out of the filter and use a scissor to cut off the 'dirty' part of the blue fabric. Lay this on top of the new cartridge, insert into the filter and Done! no lost biobacteria!

Downward Dog

Thanks! Yes, I really did have to change it, it was SO SLIMY and not blue anymore at all and there just seemed no way that water could pass though it well! Hopefully all will go well with re-seeding:-)