Changing filter media

[blondeyny]

In the QT I will hopefully have 7 galaxy rasboras, and will be moving the 5-15 from the existing 20 gal to the 10 gal QT.

Otherwise I'm just moving filters from an established tank to another established tank. Only one I was really concerned about was the new one I was adding to the 25 gal, as eventually that will be the only filter on that tank.

[guitarest]

I'm not even going to read all the replies, the correct answer is a waste or gravel siphon done weekly in your tank. It will cut back on your water changes and assist with the chem levels.

[blondeyny]

Originally Posted by guitarest

I'm not even going to read all the replies, the correct answer is a waste or gravel siphon done weekly in your tank. It will cut back on your water changes and assist with the chem levels.

Actually, not to be rude, but if you had read the replies, I do a water change weekly, and gravel vac at the same time. However, the cause was not from this. As stated in the replies, I would say the problem stemmed from the filter that was in the kit, was rated too small for the aquarium. I now have the appropriate filter on the tank, and everything is fine. They did end up giving me the filter that was supposed to be in the kit without any hassle.

Please, in the future you may want to read the entire thread before posting a response.

[BeavisMom62]

Originally Posted by guitarest

I'm not even going to read all the replies, the correct answer is a waste or gravel siphon done weekly in your tank. It will cut back on your water changes and assist with the chem levels.

Kinda hard not to do a w/c when you are doing a gravel vac! Um..the water comes out at the same time! Cant really see how a gravel vac is going to cut back on water changes.

[BeavisMom62]

Originally Posted by blondeyny

Actually, not to be rude, but if you had read the replies, I do a water change weekly, and gravel vac at the same time. However, the cause was not from this. As stated in the replies, I would say the problem stemmed from the filter that was in the kit, was rated too small for the aquarium. I now have the appropriate filter on the tank, and everything is fine. They did end up giving me the filter that was supposed to be in the kit without any hassle.

Please, in the future you may want to read the entire thread before posting a response.

Yep, big difference between an inadvertent filter problem and not doing proper maintenance on your tanks.

Blondey, glad that the proper filter solved your problems.

[Pris]

Originally Posted by BeavisMom62

Kinda hard not to do a w/c when you are doing a gravel vac! Um..the water comes out at the same time! Cant really see how a gravel vac is going to cut back on water changes.

They make gravel vacs that remove only the muck and leave the water. Personally, I don't see the point as I want to remove the buildup of dissolved organic compounds at the same time. But many people swear by them.

[BeavisMom62]

Huh. Ive never heard of such a thing. But you're right, I don't much see the point either. Otherwise you're doing twice the work.

[Pris]

Those little siphons do have a purpose. They are good for extra small tanks where a good gravel siphoning with a manual siphon will remove all the water in the tank before the gravel is clean. In overstocked tanks, they can reduce the amount of waste that is left in the tank - which reduces the necessity of doing twice weekly water changes.

On the down side, most are battery operated and the batteries need to be replaced frequently. The motors burn out quickly in the cheap ones. And they are not cheap to begin with.

[BeavisMom62]

See, when you explain it that way, it makes sense. Because, I know with my 10 gal betta tank, before I'm finished with the gravel vac, most of the water is gone from the tank. So, I always end up basically doing it twice, because I'll add more water to the tank so I can finish the gravel otherwise I don't get it all. But I still think I'll continue doing it this way rather than buy another tool.