Adding a new AC30 to a tank with AC50

I am currently in the middle of a fish in cycle using TSS and a few mollies. Right now I only have an AC50 for filtration. I ordered an AC30 to add to the tank to boost my filtration. I was wondering when I can add the new filter. Should I do a second dose of TSS to help seed the new tank? Or will the growing bacteria in the current AC50 be enough to seed the new additional AC30?

 

Your question might have been answered in your other thread but yes, you can just add the filter right away. When you say a second dose of TSS, do you mean a second bottle? You added a whole bottle the first time, right?

The bacteria will also colonize in the new filter as well.

 

Yes, I added the entire bottle first go round. By second dose I did mean a second bottle. Sounds like it is unnecessary.

 

This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if the current in the tank is too strong?

 

This might be a dumb question, but how do I know if the current in the tank is too strong?

You'll know right away from watching your fish. If they're being blown around the tank, it's too strong. This is another great thing about the aquaclears - you can adjust the flow. If you feel it's still a little too strong, you can always baffle the outtake and/or add a pre-filter sponge.

 

Awesome, thanks. Does baffling the outflow diminish the effectiveness of the filter? I know that people get hung up on how many gallons per hour are filtered.

 

As long as it doesn't cause a backflow, it should be fine. I've seen people using anything from a water bottle, cut to fit sponge and even inserting plant stems in the filter and allowing the leaves to hang over the outtake which looked pretty cool!

 

Oh wow that does sound cool. A bit off topic, but what do you think about Marimo moss balls? I thought it might be a quick and easy addition to the tank with some added filtering benefit.

 

Moss balls would be a great addition! I don't have any myself but I know people love them because they're extremely easy to care for and don't require anything but just being turned over and gently squeezed every now and then.

 

Great, that's what I was reading. I know they do provide some biological filtration benefits, but how much nitrogenous waste do they realistically metabolize? Is it similar to plants of comparable size?

 

I'm not sure about moss balls but usually the really great nitrate absorbers are hornwort, water sprite, frogbit. I hear pothos is the best at absorbing nitrates but you would only leave the roots submerged.

 

I see. How about Amazon swords? I think for my layout those would work best

 

They're pretty slow growers, from my experience anyway, so I don't know that they will be as effective. Plus, they take their nutrients from the substrate so you'll need to add root tabs for them to grow really well.