Do Fluval Have The Best Filters?

Hi. I have a 5 gallon Fluval Chi, some c. parvae, driftwood, fluorite black sand substrate and a zebra oto. I am getting coudy water with perfect readings. I've done 40 and even 60% water changes and when I put my filter back on (which had been changed last 2 weeks ago), it looks like the clouds are coming out from the filter (which I've cleaned with tank water, including the impeller and all corners of the filter containment). I sifted through the plant life and found some anacharus decaying and the water has cleared up a lot but still a little cloudy. I read the filter is not good and am thinking about buying/replacing the filter with a better one. I have also stopped putting in Flourish Excel and Dr. Tim's bacteria, lessened feedings, vacuumed surface of sand, rubbed plant leaves off, stopped bloodworm feedings. Should I get a small loach to pick up the fish waste? Do loaches eat fish waste?

What is a highly rated small filter that doesn't take up a lot of space for my 5 gallon ChI tank?

I am also thinking of purchasing a 10, 15, or 20 gallon tank for an Oranda goldfish. Which filter system is best for a tank these sizes?

I would prefer nothing that requires buying a huge cabinet to hide those filter systems that take up a lot of space.

I generally would like to keep the overall aesthetic look of the fluval chi. so a good quality filter that would add to the look would be amazing.

Thank you!

 

What are your readings? Did they change when you changed the filter media two weeks ago? How often do you change that and how do you change it? Do you leave any old media in the filter?

 

all 0 on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Only thing that changed was nitrate just a little more orange (I use apI master kit). I change my carbon filter once a month.

 

I change about 10 - 15% every week. but since it got cloudy I've been changing about every 4 days. I finally got fed up with the cloudy and did the big change yesterday at about 60.

 

I think the problem is that your tank isn't cycled. You should never change your filter cartridges because that's where your beneficial bacteria live. If you ever have to change out the cartridge then cut off the floss and put it in with the new cartridge. I'm assuming here that there's carbon in your cartridges. The bacteria on the floss eats the fish waste and converts it into less harmful nitrates that you then remove through water changes. Right now you don't have enough bacteria in the filter to take care of that waste so you're seeing a bacteria bloom in the water column which is not the type of bacteria you want.

 

I am also thinking of purchasing a 10, 15, or 20 gallon tank for an Oranda goldfish. Which filter system is best for a tank these sizes?

Thank you!

Oranda goldfish can easily get to 8in, a 20 gallon is not sufficient for one. 40 gallon minimum (you could then have 2 orandas, which will keep them happy and social), and an AquaClear 70 would probably be good.

 

It is doable though with heavy filtration and frequent water changes.

 

It is doable though with heavy filtration and frequent water changes.

No, it isn't. Goldfish are social fish, meaning they enjoy partners and even small groups, though they don't school. If you have a goldfish in a 20 gallon tank, while it can survive, and MAY even grow to its full size, it will still be depressed and will be more lethargic without a friend to play with.

I think that if you take 2 bubble eye goldfish (only get to around 6in), or other small goldfish variants, then you could do 2 in a 29g. I just recommend the extra water volume over 20 gallon because goldfish are floating, hungry pigs.

 

Good point, I wasn't taking the social aspect into account.

 

What if the orandas are about 4.5 inches? If I have 2, how big should the tsnk be?

 

What if the orandas are about 4.5 inches? If I have 2, how big should the tsnk be?

If I am understanding your question, it doesn't matter how big they are NOW, it matters how big they WILL get. Therefore you have to plan for the future, and happygolucky gave you great advice.

 

What if the orandas are about 4.5 inches? If I have 2, how big should the tsnk be?

40g, then they can grow big and healthy and will be pretty happy. I'm sure you don't want your orandas to STAY 4.5in right? If it were me, I would want those monster-sized cuties