29 Gallon Tank Setting Up A New 29 Gallon Tank

Shoot I just realized that bag has bio max in it.

Ok this is what I would do.

1) On The BOTTOM of the filter use the carbon sponge that is in there now.
- If anyone thinks this is a bad idea please speak up. This is the only seeded material left.

2) Cut the white sponge to fit on top of the carbon.

3) place the biomax bag on top of the white sponge. Thats it for now. it can stick out some but not a lot.

Replace the carbon filters one at a time with chunks of that black sponge you bought. do this over a couple months. If only one carbon fits just use one. Its better than nothing for now. replace it a month from now.

So the black sponge I got is supposed to use for thr bio max stuff... one item goes in the bottom slot and one goes in the top slot not sure what else it's used for....

 

Isnt it too big for your filter? I have a 9g flex that that fits in so I know the size.

 

Isnt it too big for your filter? I have a 9g flex that that fits in so I know the size.

Your right it probably is.

 

You can cut the black sponge to replace the carbon one in about a month. Or just return it.

 

Update StarGirl. My pads I ordered off Amazon came yesterday! So I do now have the pads you recommended

 

I think the pre filter and bio max are different things. It looks the same but it sounds like the pre filter stuff was used before in older models but they use the white sponge now. I think it may work but it may load up or break down fast. I will have to read more.

Where did the cartridge go? The white cloth would have helped seed the new sponges. Your filter may spike some with all new media in it. Keep an eye on it.

I'm just gonna chime in real quick. Fluval Pre-filter rings are mechanical media and Fluval Biomax rings are biological media. It's important to understand what the mechanical, chemical and biological filter medias mean and there purpose.
DYI Media Guide
I'm not sure if this will help or be more confusing but this is pretty much what your shooting for. Stargirl is right, never replace all media in your filter at the same time. Doing that removes your nitrifying bacteria and restarts the nitrogen cycle meaning ammonia and nitrite spikes. Carbon is only needed to remove medications. You said your medicating and that's on another thread. I hope your fish are ok.

 

This is everything I have. How does this need to go in my filter?

Fluval Biomax bag with white stuff inside
AquaClear Filter Insert Foam
Imagitarium Replacement Filter Sponge
Fluval Foam Filter Block
Fluval Bio Foam
Fluval Pre-filter Premium Mechanical Filtration

 

1) on the bottom the carbon foam you have in there now. Cut to fit flat. You can change this out for more white foam in a month or so.
2) the white foam. Either one. Cut to fit flat.
3) the bio bag on top. Try to get as much sponge in as you can while keeping the bio bag mostly under water. And of course not blocking filter flow.

 

1) on the bottom the carbon foam you have in there now. Cut to fit flat. You can change this out for more white foam in a month or so.
2) the white foam. Either one. Cut to fit flat.
3) the bio bag on top. Try to get as much sponge in as you can while keeping the bio bag mostly under water. And of course not blocking filter flow.

I'm doing my wc today hoping I get it right lol I also need a bottom feeder.. my glass stays so dirty since I lost my cory. Any suggestions? I was thinking shrimp but idk
I've tried a snail long ago but he passed away also

 

I'm doing my wc today hoping I get it right lol I also need a bottom feeder.. my glass stays so dirty since I lost my cory. Any suggestions? I was thinking shrimp but idk
I've tried a snail long ago but he passed away also

I would get a nerite snail if you can find one. Your cory was cleaning the glass?

 

I would get a nerite snail if you can find one. Your cory was cleaning the glass?

No he wasn't not and here's my filter now

 

Can you get pieces that will fit end to end and fill all the space? And stack it that way?

Like this.

You will also need to fill the whole chamber right up to the waterfall. The bag on top.

 

Can you get pieces that will fit end to end and fill all the space? And stack it that way?
View attachment 865979Like this.

You will also need to fill the whole chamber right up to the waterfall. The bag on top.

It pretty much is.. the bac on top is the bio bag

 

Oh it just doesnt look like it in the pics!

 

Oh it just doesnt look like it in the pics!

Sorry I don't have much room for pix lol but yes it's packed! I really wanna get some bottom feeders this weekend but I'm scared but at the same time I need something that will keep my tank clean, something that will get along with my goldfish and something that won't double or triple the bioload... I also thought of upgrading the filter as well, instead of added another filter... so instead of 2 filters having 1 but taking it from a 30 to like a 50? What do you think?

 

Sorry I don't have much room for pix lol but yes it's packed! I really wanna get some bottom feeders this weekend but I'm scared but at the same time I need something that will keep my tank clean, something that will get along with my goldfish and something that won't double or triple the bioload... I also thought of upgrading the filter as well, instead of added another filter... so instead of 2 filters having 1 but taking it from a 30 to like a 50? What do you think?

You really shouldnt rely on a fish to clean your tank. They dont eat poop you know. They dont "clean" as much as you think. They eat left over morsels of food and thats all usually, unless its a algae eater like a pleco. You have to vacuum that stuff up yourself.

For goldies a bigger filter will always be better. They are more cleaning required also.

See if you can find Nerite snails. No other kind. They are good cleaners.

 

You really shouldnt rely on a fish to clean your tank. They dont eat poop you know. They dont "clean" as much as you think. They eat left over morsels of food and thats all usually, unless its a algae eater like a pleco. You have to vacuum that stuff up yourself.

For goldies a bigger filter will always be better. They are more cleaning required also.

See if you can find Nerite snails. No other kind. They are good cleaners.

I know about cleaning lol I do a wc and clean every week regardless lol I'm just talking about something that will basically keep algea off my glass, decor, ect. Idk why but im obsessed with shrimp right now lol they are way too cute... I didn't want to buy anything without really thinking about it, so I still got a week or so before I buy anything.

 

I know about cleaning lol I do a wc and clean every week regardless lol I'm just talking about something that will basically keep algea off my glass, decor, ect. Idk why but im obsessed with shrimp right now lol they are way too cute... I didn't want to buy anything without really thinking about it, so I still got a week or so before I buy anything.

Snails will be the only thing besides plecos to clean glass. Shrimp wont do that.

 

Snails will be the only thing besides plecos to clean glass. Shrimp wont do that.

Oh ok I may go with snails then bc plecos get way too big

 

A Bristle nose wont, 5-6 inches max. But snails will be better. I wouldnt go Mystery snail though.

 

A Bristle nose wont, 5-6 inches max. But snails will be better. I wouldnt go Mystery snail though.

Where do you get the Nerite snail from?

 

My lfs has them usually. Its not a smart/co store though. Snails are easy to order and ship online. I have Zebras, Red Racer, and Horned Nerites. They rarely eat food and are on the glass and driftwood most.

Red Racers are my favorite.
This is what they look like. They are a bit pricey right now it seems......but isnt everything? lol

 

My lfs has them usually. Its not a smart/co store though. Snails are easy to order and ship online. I have Zebras, Red Racer, and Horned Nerites. They rarely eat food and are on the glass and driftwood most.

Red Racers are my favorite.
This is what they look like. They are a bit pricey right now it seems......but isnt everything? lol
Red and Gold Racer Nerite Snail Combo - Aquatic Arts on sale today for $ 14.49 |

My LFS normally don't have snails at all... how many is safe to buy?

 

My LFS normally don't have snails at all... how many is safe to buy?

For your 29 2 or 3 would be good.

You could look on other sites too.

 

For your 29 2 or 3 would be good.

You could look on other sites too.

I've never bought anything animals from outside of a LFS so not sure which ones are credible

 

IDK either....neither have I. I just googled red racers.

 

IDK either....neither have I. I just googled red racers.

I got to get something lol... I also took my tall fake plants out of my 55 gallon bc the plecos and goldfish was tearing it apart so I definitely need new plants now

 

I got to get something lol... I also took my tall fake plants out of my 55 gallon bc the plecos and goldfish was tearing it apart so I definitely need new plants now

A scraper works pretty good too...

 

A scraper works pretty good too...

I have cut feeding in half I just did a WC Thursday and now look !! I'm soon embarrassed! My fish seem fine and not at all affected but I'm so embarrassed. Why is the water looking green?!?

 

Wow thats a good algae bloom you got going on. How long do you usually have your lights on for?

 

Wow thats a good algae bloom you got going on. How long do you usually have your lights on for?

From 8:15am-9:30/10:00pm then off from 9:30-10:00 pm until 8:15am

From 8:15am-9:30/10:00pm then off from 9:30-10:00 pm until 8:15am

It gets dark here between 5:00-6:00pm

 

From 8:15am-9:30/10:00pm then off from 9:30-10:00 pm until 8:15am

It gets dark here between 5:00-6:00pm

So pretty much 14 hours then? Yeah waaaayyy too long. Cut it down to 6 for now and see what happens.

What all are you adding?

 

So pretty much 14 hours then? Yeah waaaayyy too long. Cut it down to 6 for now and see what happens.

What all are you adding?

With my WC? Nothing but prime.

 

With my WC? Nothing but prime.

Ok just wanted to make sure no ferts or stuff like that.

 

Ok just wanted to make sure no ferts or stuff like that.

Absolutely nothing. What times are good to cut light on and off? I also can't dim it. It came built into the lid.

 

Absolutely nothing. What times are good to cut light on and off? I also can't dim it. It came built into the lid.

I think this is all preference. I love having mine on when I wake up in the morning! But I’m out of the house quick so it’s on for a short time then off. Then back on when I’m home after work.
I total like 7 hours and have a heavily planted tank.

 

I'm at work all day so I run mine from 3 -10. I guess when you want to see them most?

You can also do like 4 hrs on 2hrs off 4 hrs on.....something like that.

Absolutely nothing. What times are good to cut light on and off? I also can't dim it. It came built into the lid.

There are also auto light timers you can get. You can set them however you want.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKBSSMS

 

I'm at work all day so I run mine from 3 -10. I guess when you want to see them most?

You can also do like 4 hrs on 2hrs off 4 hrs on.....something like that.

There are also auto light timers you can get. You can set them however you want.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKBSSMS

I get up around 8. Lights on at 8:15. Fed at 8:15 then working from 8:30-5:30 monday-wednesday then fed again at 7:20 and lights off at 9:30... Thursday I work 8-3 so lights on at 7:45 and fed at 7:45

I'm at work all day so I run mine from 3 -10. I guess when you want to see them most?

You can also do like 4 hrs on 2hrs off 4 hrs on.....something like that.

There are also auto light timers you can get. You can set them however you want.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XKBSSMS

Just bought it lol

 

So turn it off while you are at work.

 

So turn it off while you are at work.

I work from home lol it's not as bad this morning but I cut it on around 8:40 so I'll cut it off tonight around 8:30