filtering water

[mikek996]

I have a 75 gal tank with 14 3-4 inch mbunas 8-10 fry sizes from tiny to about 1 or 2 cm. long, a pleco about 4 in. long and a pictus cat about 4 in. long. my water parameters are all good water isnt cloudy but there is always particles floating around. I have a fluval 405 running in it and I change about 25% of the water twice a week while vacuuming the gravel both times. do you think I might need to add a hob filter to get the rest of this stuff floating around ( and if so what kind is good) or could there be a better media I could use in the fluval. right now it has 2 baskets of bio max, one of carbon and one of ammo carb and the usual foam blocks. I tried the water polishing pads with not much success. how can I get rid of all the little particles floating in my tank?? any info will be appreciated. thanks.

[LiVe4fIsH]

Hey Mike,

The bio load shouldnt be that bad for your size of tank. Do you mind of giving us a little bit more of information on your parameters, such as ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Your fluval 405 should be doing the job just fine so adding a hang on IMO would not change too much and just add more maintance. You wrote that you change your water twice a week, so a total of 50% w/c each week? If your nitrates are pretty low, it might be ok to move this to once a week of a 25% w/c. Your bio load I think might still be under control if this was cut in half, but this is a concern that can wait until we see your parameters. As far as particles floating around in your tank, do you mind on specifying what, how big, how many, these particles are. Thanks and hang in there!!

Izzy

[mikek996]

as of this morning readings are
ph8.0
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates less than 5 ppm

I think I was off a little after thinking about it I change about 12 gallons twice a week so that is about 25% a week total maybe a little less. as far as the size they are small (like the tip of a sharpened pencil) it looks to me like it is pieces of poop that have broken down some and are stirred up by the fish. as far as how many, too many to count makes the water just look kinda dirty. the problem is there are lots of caves and openings in the rocks that cant be vaccuumed out easily. so there is usually some stuff left after cleaning.