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Post by charden on Oct 13, 2011 18:53:25 GMT -6
Ok so I set up my 125 a little over a week ago. I am using both Emperor 400's and my "Friend" purchased me a Marineland C-530 Canister filter. I am using all 3 with a Maxi-jet 600 in Circulation mode. I have tested my water and it is testing normal. When I set up the tank I kept all the media from my 400's and even added some established BIO-Balls in to my canister. I can not get my water crystal clear. I am only feeding once every other day and it is still kind of dirty looking. My other concern is if the fish are getting enough oxygen. I have the Maxi-Jet towards the back of the tank, 1 400 on one side, other 400 on other side, and directly in the middle is the out take of the canister. I am getting bubbles grouping up on both ends of the tank but not terribly. It also appears to be like a thin film on the top of the water in any area other than where the out take is and where the HOB's are sitting. Is something wrong here? Where should I put the Maxi-jet for the best performance or should I add another to the other side?
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Post by glenoweth on Oct 13, 2011 19:19:01 GMT -6
I am not sure what your asking. So the issue your having is dirty (clowdy) ? and want to know if you have enough oxygen in teh water?
Questions i have for you
1.) how many fish do you have in your tank?
2.) What kind of substright? Sand or Rock?
Something to check
You have 2 filters and 3 Power heads so you should be fine but where do you have them mid tank or up high? Make sure if you think you are having Oxygen problems. Check to see if the water surface is getting enough movement, sometimes you can build up a filmy layer on the surface that is why i always have one powerhead pushing water across the sureface of my tanks, or your bubble stones can do the same because the bubbles with move the surface water also.
not sure if this will help but just some stuff i would try.
Pics will help also =)
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Post by charden on Oct 13, 2011 19:38:43 GMT -6
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Post by glenoweth on Oct 13, 2011 19:51:52 GMT -6
You are getting good surface movement!
If you were not getting good oxygen your fish would be gasping heavy, and swimming to the surface.
also your fine on fish that is nowhere close to being over stocked, so oxygen should be fins.
HOw long has your tank been set up?
when was your last water change?
Did you rinse the sand really well before putting it in the tank?
Im my Cyprichromis tank i have sand and when i do a new lay out and disturb the sand alot it takes about a week for the sand cloud to settle down. water cahnges seem to help move it along faster, and its a good idea anyway.
But just to reasure you that cloudy water is from the sand.
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Post by charden on Oct 13, 2011 19:57:34 GMT -6
Well I last did a WC on Friday. I only do it once a week about 25%. The sand was rinsed clean it appeared. Maybe I am just being paranoid and it will settle.
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Post by glenoweth on Oct 13, 2011 20:01:45 GMT -6
Yeah I think it will. sand can take a bit to settle, also if your fish are digging in it some it might take longer. One day you will come home from work ,and Bam it will be crystal clear! lol
From what i can see your fish look very happy=) so i think your good.
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Post by rickl on Oct 13, 2011 20:03:47 GMT -6
You could try putting some fine floss in the Emp400 to see if it helps... maybe get some quilt batting from walmart (polyester ONLY!!!) and wrap it around the emperor cartridge a few times to see if that helps pull some of the fine dust out of the water.
-Rick (the armchair aquarist)
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Post by charden on Oct 13, 2011 20:14:52 GMT -6
So would it be safe to add a few more fish at this time or should I wait?
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Post by davidtcb1 on Oct 13, 2011 23:22:31 GMT -6
I think time will solve these issues. It's a new tank, and even though you used pre existing media, the biological magic is still developing. I would just give it a few more days and with the fine media suggestion above, you should start to see a difference. I would not add any more fish for the time being. The filmy surface will dissipate with regular water changes and good surface agitation as mentioned.
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Post by mruble on Oct 14, 2011 6:12:08 GMT -6
Your film on top of the water can be from your food. I plumbed in a surface skimmer to the intake for the canister filter. I shut the skimmer off when feeding then adjust it back on for the rest of the time.
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Post by glenoweth on Oct 14, 2011 7:32:36 GMT -6
I agree i think the tank is just not settled yet =) thats a big tank and i am sure it had a huge Bio bloom. Really i think its jus tthe sand
What RICKL said is something i also do, but I do it in my HOB filters right where the overflow is just because it is easly replaced in that location ,as to opening up the Canister filter.
Also I have never used play sand or pool filter sand so I am not sure how long it takes to settle.
I will post a pic tonight if i remember from the floss i used just a few days ago its has alot of sand dust in it ,and all i did was move a few rocks.
Hey Rickl remember the Bio media i gave you ? that was something i used also to help with the sand.
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Post by rickl on Oct 14, 2011 8:24:40 GMT -6
Yup! It's still floating around in the 10-gallon tank with Jack's guppies  . I think the Java Moss may be attaching itself to it! -Rick (the armchair aquarist) |
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Post by davidtcb1 on Oct 14, 2011 10:44:19 GMT -6
I get the rolls of quilt batting from joanns fabric stores. I think it is $11 for a 4' x 10 yard  Roll. |
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Post by charden on Oct 19, 2011 10:38:03 GMT -6
Well it appears I may have found part of the problem. I didn't cut the hoses on my canister filter at all so there was a big loop. I went back and read the instructions and cut them as needed. Only problem now is it appears that I am going to have have micro bubbles for a little while till it gets running smooth. Every now and then you will see air bubbles push out through the outake. I double and triple checked for leaks and everything is tight. Hopefully in a couple weeks it will be crystal clear.
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Post by ree123 on Oct 19, 2011 22:47:37 GMT -6
Surface agitation via h20 movement and bubbles to break the surface tension over time will break up the film. Time and patience.
All excellent suggestions here.
A note of interest for all to know of a mistake I made once.
Pool filter sand is fine.
But play kiddie sand is made from a lesser refined glass that has glass particles within it.
Actually I don't think pool filter sand is even made from glass. Not sure. But is definately different.
I mixed clay, topsoil, and kiddie sand once and planted several marginal bog plants and lilys in pots and placed into my outdoor pond. Over a few weeks I began to have Goldfish and Koi to die and they had hemoraging around thier lips and gills. I figured the problem out over time, by going back to read the bags of what the kiddie sand was made of, and how it was seined before being bagged for sale.
I emptied all pots and started with a new mix of soil and vacuumed the bottom of the pond. A real pain, and time consuming. Problem was solved and no major losses since.
Just FYI.
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. I think the Java Moss may be attaching itself to it!
Roll.