is there any other ways to lower ammonia levels other than cycling?

and do I have to replace my filter pads? because there's stuff in it and idk if that helps the tank... my tank is cycled but I don't want any sudden spikes...

 

If the tank is cycled, then you should not have issues with ammonia, unless you throw in a bunch of new fish and have a spike or are way overstocked.

As far as the filter pads go, you should take them out and rinse them off in tank water during water changes. I do this about once every 1 and a half to 2 months, or more often. Do this until the pads start to fall apart. When this starts to occur, throw in some new filter pads with the old ones for a few weeks to get bacterial colony established and then take out old ones.

This will keep you from minI cycles.

 

If the tank is cycled, then you should not have issues with ammonia, unless you throw in a bunch of new fish and have a spike or are way overstocked.

As far as the filter pads go, you should take them out and rinse them off in tank water during water changes. I do this about once every 1 and a half to 2 months, or more often. Do this until the pads start to fall apart. When this starts to occur, throw in some new filter pads with the old ones for a few weeks to get bacterial colony established and then take out old ones.

This will keep you from minI cycles.

ahhh I'm just scared cuz ive seen people get spikes even when theyre tanks cycled and a year old..... wud drift woods help??? cuz I really like driftwoods and the color that it gives

 

Hi,

Not all filtration systems are the same, and you should do what your filter provider instructs (most filter pads get replaced monthly). WHile certain types of filters require pads that get thrown out, some people decide to cut them and remove the carbon, then keep the outerpad with their new filter as the old one has beneficial bacteria on it. I've never tried this personally, but what I did was upgrade the standard filter which came with my tank to one called Aquaclear. The Aquaclear filtration is in three separate parts and you only ever replace one at a time. That way, you will always have beneficial bacteria in your tank. If you find you have too much ammonia (and your tank is cycled) do you happen to have too many fish in your tank? Any dead plants or fish in there? Are you feeding too much? Are you doing regular water changes? If so, you can lower the ammonia with water changes and also you must remove anything that has died right away. I'd also go out and get Prime water conditioner for your water changes. Hope some of this helps!

 

Hi,

Not all filtration systems are the same, and you should do what your filter provider instructs (most filter pads get replaced monthly). WHile certain types of filters require pads that get thrown out, some people decide to cut them and remove the carbon, then keep the outerpad with their new filter as the old one has beneficial bacteria on it. I've never tried this personally, but what I did was upgrade the standard filter which came with my tank to one called Aquaclear. The Aquaclear filtration is in three separate parts and you only ever replace one at a time. That way, you will always have beneficial bacteria in your tank. If you find you have too much ammonia (and your tank is cycled) do you happen to have too many fish in your tank? Any dead plants or fish in there? Are you feeding too much? Are you doing regular water changes? If so, you can lower the ammonia with water changes and also you must remove anything that has died right away. I'd also go out and get Prime water conditioner for your water changes. Hope some of this helps!

well I'm not that rich so I only have 2 15 gallon filter for my 20 gallon tank.... I have 12 fishies in it.. 2 mollies.. and 10 small ones (3 neon tetras... 7 (idk why) small guppies.. but ive hear that if they don't have big chests its good.) they swim happy and stuff....... I'm just scared of getting a spike... cuz I really don't want them to die.. ive had them for 2 months now.... 3 died.. -_- 2 died cuz of the filter.. they got sucked in! and idk how! and one was one of my first... I ddnt know that I needed to acclimate them so he died really fast.. it was a guppy...

no dead plants.. I only have 2. # I only feed them once a day.. # 25% water change every after 3 days.. and yes I have a conditioner..

 

well I'm not that rich so I only have 2 15 gallon filter for my 20 gallon tank.... I have 12 fishies in it.. 2 mollies.. and 10 small ones (3 neon tetras... 7 (idk why) small guppies.. but ive hear that if they don't have big chests its good.) they swim happy and stuff....... I'm just scared of getting a spike... cuz I really don't want them to die.. ive had them for 2 months now.... 3 died.. -_- 2 died cuz of the filter.. they got sucked in! and idk how! and one was one of my first... I ddnt know that I needed to acclimate them so he died really fast.. it was a guppy...

no dead plants.. I only have 2. # I only feed them once a day.. # 25% water change every after 3 days.. and yes I have a conditioner..

Hey,

Why are you changing your water every three days?

 

Hey,

Why are you changing your water every three days?

cuz I'm not sure when to change a cycled tanks water..

 

I change mine every two days but I got blue rams and they need it nice a low on everything

 

Really the only time you need to change filter media is when it is literally falling apart or when you have carbon. Carbon being changed every 3-4 weeks.

In a cycled tank, you should be doing weekly W/C to keep nitrates at a safe level.

 

I change mine every two days but I got blue rams and they need it nice a low on everything

ive got mollies and guppies.. and they are poopers.... so yah I kinda need to change the water lol

 

Hi,

This site has an amazing amount of information to help the beginner--and I am a beginner too (keeping fish for just over a year now). Here is a link to a wealth of info on beginner fishkeeping (from this site). Hope it helps!

 

Really the only time you need to change filter media is when it is literally falling apart or when you have carbon. Carbon being changed every 3-4 weeks.

In a cycled tank, you should be doing weekly W/C to keep nitrates at a safe level.

dang I need to change my carbon? cuz ive had it for almost 3 months.. -_-

 

After a certain amount of time (3-4 weeks), carbon releases the bad stuff it sucked in back into the water.

 

After a certain amount of time (3-4 weeks), carbon releases the bad stuff it sucked in back into the water.

ow man ty lol.ddnt know that

 

Yeah, there is a lot to learn, and it doesn't seem either to end LoL. Read as much as you can (as quick as you can) to help ensure your fish are going to live a long, happy life!

 

Hi,

Not all filtration systems are the same, and you should do what your filter provider instructs (most filter pads get replaced monthly). WHile certain types of filters require pads that get thrown out, some people decide to cut them and remove the carbon, then keep the outerpad with their new filter as the old one has beneficial bacteria on it. I've never tried this personally, but what I did was upgrade the standard filter which came with my tank to one called Aquaclear. The Aquaclear filtration is in three separate parts and you only ever replace one at a time. That way, you will always have beneficial bacteria in your tank. If you find you have too much ammonia (and your tank is cycled) do you happen to have too many fish in your tank? Any dead plants or fish in there? Are you feeding too much? Are you doing regular water changes? If so, you can lower the ammonia with water changes and also you must remove anything that has died right away. I'd also go out and get Prime water conditioner for your water changes. Hope some of this helps!

Not trying to sound rude, but do not follow what the providers say on the boxes, as this is usually just a way of money making. If you are using filter pads, don't change them monthly, but when they start to fall apart. If you change them completely every month, you will get mini-cycles.

 

Good afternoon,

My two cents on activated carbon: I'm a firm believer that every freshwater aquarium should use it. Granted it is a personal choice and many members only use it at certain times, if they use it all. I respect that and it's their decision.

I use it around the clock in all of my tanks, changing it out every 3 weeks. I don't feel that carbon masks any problems but removes them as long as you change it out periodically. I change mine every 3 weeks for fresh. It absorbs minerals and organic substances, helps to keep your water clear, eliminates foul odors. It will also remove medications and discoloration in the water (caused by driftwood for an example). If you're running more than 1 filter on a tank, the carbon does not have to go into every filter only 1. I have 4 filters on my 265g and I only use it in 1 of them. The other filters you can stuff full of good bio media. (sponges, ceramic cubes and tubes, bio balls).

I've stopped saying that the Activated Carbon (AC) leaches what it has collected back into the tank. There are people on both sides of the fence here. Instead I think it's more accurate to say the the AC looses it effectiveness after 3 to 4 weeks and it should be removed and replaced.

If your tank smells foul then I highly recommend adding it to your filter immediately. A water change would probably be a good idea too.

Filter maintenance:

The only time that you need to replace your bio media such as sponges and bio max is when they are crumbling or falling apart or if you see a reduced flow from the output area of the filter.

As for filter cartridges, it's a good idea to cut the pouch open, remove the carbon, replace the carbon if you choose to and put the old pouch back into the filter. If the pouch is falling apart, keep it in the tank itself if you want and replace it with a fresh one. Leave the old one in the tank or filter for at least 2 weeks giving the new media time to colonize with beneficial bacteria needed to sustain the tanks cycle.

Ken

 

Good afternoon,

My two cents on activated carbon: I'm a firm believer that every freshwater aquarium should use it. Granted it is a personal choice and many members only use it at certain times, if they use it all. I respect that and it's their decision.

I use it around the clock in all of my tanks, changing it out every 3 weeks. I don't feel that carbon masks any problems but removes them as long as you change it out periodically. I change mine every 3 weeks for fresh. It absorbs minerals and organic substances, helps to keep your water clear, eliminates foul odors. It will also remove medications and discoloration in the water (caused by driftwood for an example). If you're running more than 1 filter on a tank, the carbon does not have to go into every filter only 1. I have 4 filters on my 265g and I only use it in 1 of them. The other filters you can stuff full of good bio media. (sponges, ceramic cubes and tubes, bio balls).

I've stopped saying that the Activated Carbon (AC) leaches what it has collected back into the tank. There are people on both sides of the fence here. Instead I think it's more accurate to say the the AC looses it effectiveness after 3 to 4 weeks and it should be removed and replaced.

If your tank smells foul then I highly recommend adding it to your filter immediately. A water change would probably be a good idea too.

Filter maintenance:

The only time that you need to replace your bio media such as sponges and bio max is when they are crumbling or falling apart or if you see a reduced flow from the output area of the filter.

As for filter cartridges, it's a good idea to cut the pouch open, remove the carbon, replace the carbon if you choose to and put the old pouch back into the filter. If the pouch is falling apart, keep it in the tank itself if you want and replace it with a fresh one. Leave the old one in the tank or filter for at least 2 weeks giving the new media time to colonize with beneficial bacteria needed to sustain the tanks cycle.

Ken

ah thanks. and yah I only have them in one tank.. and the filter pads I just rinse them from the water from the tank.