|
|
Post by rickl on Mar 16, 2012 11:32:51 GMT -6
How often do you clean/replace the blue bonded pads? They shouldn't be letting any organic debris get into your wet/dry bio-media. Unless you're neglecting those pads or there's some bypass, I don't think the filter is to blame for the high nitrates. If you have more detritus settling in the tank of the 125 than the 55 that might explain it, though. Have you considered something like a korelia powerhead (or a similar propeller-based water movement device) to ensure most of the debris ends up going to the filter (getting caught in that blue-bonded pad for easy removal)?
-Rick
|
|
|
|
Post by charden on Mar 16, 2012 15:44:00 GMT -6
Ok to answer your question and Jons. lol
I do about a 50% water change on the 125 every other week and I check the pads but they are only dirty where the drain first comes in. I also have a Koralia 1400 in there that moves the poo around but I still catch some sitting at the bottom of the sand. I reaplace the pads once a month.
|
|
|
|
Post by charden on Mar 18, 2012 13:33:10 GMT -6
I replaced my pads. I have been using them blue side up and when I picked it up to check the whole bottom part was brown. I also replaced the noisy emperor 400 with an AC110. I have the Ac110 like this from bottom to top......Ac110 Sponge, 2 bags of chemipure elite,,,then a strip of 1 inch Poret foam. I am wanting to find something I can put in those drip trays that would lengthen the time of replacement.
|
|
|
|
Post by jon carman on Mar 18, 2012 14:12:39 GMT -6
Put poret foam in drip trays. Unless you are overfeeding, you should only have to clean once every six months to a year. Shouldn't have to replace. With amount of water you change, you shouldnt need any carbon products.
|
|
|
|
Post by charden on Mar 18, 2012 18:35:34 GMT -6
Ok so I went to swisstropicals.com and I am wondering if this would help cut back on the debris hitting the bottom. I am not sure if this would work but I kinda drew it up. Pay no attention to my Paint skills lol. The idea is to use the 3/4" thick filter pad in the drip trays and the 20ppi under the drip trays on top of the bio balls.  |
|
|
|
Post by jon carman on Mar 19, 2012 6:17:45 GMT -6
Thats how mine is set up, just no filter floss. Poret works for that as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by rickl on Mar 19, 2012 9:13:14 GMT -6
Wow, you're getting debris on the bottom through the blue-bonded pad?
-Rick
|
|
|
|
Post by charden on Mar 19, 2012 10:09:28 GMT -6
Yupalso they are only fed once a day and none ever hits the bottom.
|
|
aaron
FORUM PARTICIPANT
Posts: 96
|
Post by aaron on Apr 3, 2012 7:38:35 GMT -6
Yeah I have the same issue with debris on mine. I'm not that worried about mine I just clean it out. However I don't have the foam layer that you have.
As for your pH double check the rocks you have in the tank if any. Some rocks can raise the pH. Driftwood helps balance it out.
I know my coworker (cichlid fanatic... for years) keeps one piece of driftwood, not huge or anything, in the back of her tank hidden from view to help keep the tank more equalized. The wood helps balance it all out. She also checks the pH issue daily before and after feedings.
|
|
