Tank is cycled - Help with Filter Maint.???

Cichlids4Ever · 11-04-2006, 07:57 AM

Hi all!

I first started my 75g aquarium on 10/16/06, and the cycle was fully completed by 11/01/06.
Thanks to everyone here, I had no fish loss or stress...!!

I now have a question regarding my filter maintenance.

I have not touched it yet because I didn't want to mess up the cycle.
It's a Fluval 405. I used what they gave me for filter media because I didn't want to waste the stuff, but I am going to just keep ceramic rings and glass wool in there.
OK, right now there are 4 compartments of carbon which I am going to toss.
There are 2 compartments of Bio-Max which I am also going to toss, but only one compartment at a time. The Bio-Max and carbon will be replaced with ceramic rings and glass wool eventually.

So, when should I do this? Is it too soon for filter cleaning since it just cycled?
Also, do you think ceramic rings and glass wool are enough to keep things "happy" as far as a good, healthy tank?

P.S. I already have some ceramic rings in there and those I will never touch.

Thanks for your advice!
BTW-The fiter instructions say to change the Bio-Max after 3 months...should I leave that in 3 months or do as I said I would do???
Knowing my setup, what would you do?

Jay · 11-04-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

I now have a question regarding my filter maintenance.
I have not touched it yet because I didn't want to mess up the cycle.

I have read a lot of posts indicating that folks think the bio-filter (colonies of the beneficial bacteria) exist only in the filter. I guess if I wanted to sell you expensive special ceramic rings, expensive specially disigned and tested at our zillion dollar laboratory complex, had the packaging designed by very expensive advertising and marketing firms, then I would want you to believe that the bacteria colonies existed only where my product was (in the filter).

I keep a handful or ceramic rings in my canister filter because I know that the colony is a little more efficient if there is water movement. I also keep a good water circulation going in my tank and know that I have colonies of beneficial bacteria everywhere in my tank. These guys (the nitrifying bacteria) have been doing very well for millions of years without the benefit of slick marketing and product.

This is the way I stack my Canister (Rena 3). It has three baskets each about 6 x 6 x 4 inches. Water flow is bottom to top. Bottom basket.. Coarse sponge two layers, a finer sponge two layers. Middle basket..polyester fiber topped with a filter pad. Top basket, handful of ceramic rings. I rinse out the sponges in tap water and toss the pads and polyester fiber about every three weeks. If the ceramic rings need it I swish them in the filter water.

Regards,
Jay

Cichlids4Ever · 11-04-2006, 09:33 AM

Thanks Jay...

So, is it safe for me to do the filter maintenance now since it has just cycled??

Jay · 11-04-2006, 09:45 AM

Yep!

Don't mess up the kitchen floor!

Jay

jd@ga · 11-04-2006, 11:51 AM

Hey Jay have you ever heard of using c/coral instead of the ceramic rings ? I think I heard somewhere that it was even more benefits as far as the bacteria goes. Just wondering ,what do you think?

Cichlids4Ever · 11-04-2006, 03:33 PM

Hey Jay!!!
Didn't mess up a thing.
I added lots of filter floss and now have all ceramic rings and no carbon...
The tank is sparkling clear after only a few hours of changing things in the filter.
Thanks for the help. I am all set...at least for now :-)

Hi jd@ga.
I remember Jay telling me that crushed coral in the filter or as substrate helps keep PH high for my cichlids, and I have read on the Internet that folks use it in media bags in the filter instead of rings....
There isn't any special benefit in using coral instead of rings unless you are trying to raise PH

jd@ga · 11-04-2006, 11:04 PM

I thought that I heard that crushed coral was better ? I use rings in mine and I was just wondering? Thanks!

Jay · 11-05-2006, 08:26 AM

I think we are talking apples and apples. The coral is porous with zillions of inches of surface area for colonization, the ceramic material by manufacturing process is the same.

The coral will raise your GH KH a tad.

Jay

jd@ga · 11-05-2006, 05:35 PM

Thanks ppl ! I might try that out the next time I set up a African or maybe use it in my s/w it needed.