Major Issues with Tank - Algae Take over

[GR1KTR]

Filter cleaning has been a bit hit and miss. On average iv been cleaning the filter every month. The filter wasn't ever that dirty really but I am running two to give me the 550l/h

Cool. You shouldn't need to clean it every month, only once every 6-8 weeks if you have fine filter wool. If you are using coarse sponge, once every 3 or so months should be fine. If you over-clean the beneficial bacteria may struggle to become established. If you are needing to clean your coarse sponge every month, then something is wrong..

Ram has been lost

Sorry to hear that. Did he have any signs of disease?

I used to use the easy carbo so I still have some of that in the cupboard. Ill start double dosing that until I get the plants back on track. That will probably take two weeks on its own.

No more than two weeks and you should be fine. Return to recommended dose after that for a while and see how you go.

 

[craig20102010]

Cool. You shouldn't need to clean it every month, only once every 6-8 weeks if you have fine filter wool. If you are using coarse sponge, once every 3 or so months should be fine. If you over-clean the beneficial bacteria may struggle to become established. If you are needing to clean your coarse sponge every month, then something is wrong..



Sorry to hear that. Did he have any signs of disease?



No more than two weeks and you should be fine. Return to recommended dose after that for a while and see how you go.

Well it was just while the green water was on. All I was cleaning was the filter floss. I left the thick sponge alone.

The ram just died suddenly. Was a bit strange to be honest. On the morning he was fine but a bit reluctant to eat. Then at dinner time he was dead. Don't really know what happened

Lookin at the neon tetra. His tail has gone a bit pale and he isn't eating and hiding all the time. Also a bit lethargic. He's been moved into a small tank that I can treat. Just hope I'm treating him for the right thing.

Ill start the easy carbo tomorrow morning.

Cheers again.

 

[craig20102010]

my tetra died.

Little bit sudden these deaths. Might be down to the power coming back on and the tank heating up from 21 to 24. I cant think of anything else apart from maybe poor water quality, which there was nothing i could do

I hope no more get ill!

 

[keithgh]

Craig

That is not a great water temperate change in our hot summer days and cool nights my tanks will have a greater temperature change that that.

I would be more likely to think of water quality or the Ram which can be rather aggressive at times.

Filter cleaning, I tend to be rather fussy at cleaning.
Also remember I run a UGF in both tanks.

The Threadfin Rainbow and Shrimp tank 100lt actual water content has an Eheim Pro11.
I can clean the filter every second month if required but I clean it every month.

The 5ft 300lt+ has an Eheim Pro3 will be replaced with the Eheim Professional 3 (its a 4 basket) after I do the rescaping.
It has big Hoplo Catfish, Bristle nose, 1 large 25yld+Clown Loach a few medium sized Clown Loaches and Silver Sharks plus 10 medium sized Aust Rainbows.

Cleaning both filters is exactly the same I have never changed my method for many years.

I remove one basket at a time, the medium (except sponges and filter pads) all get a very good washing in the old tank water to remove all the gunk.

The filter sponges and pads I wash under a hot running tap (that is the only way to clean them fully)

They are then rinsed in old tank water, basket re assembled and placed in a bucket with old tank water.

I take the impeller out, give the housing and impeller a good cleaning.

Next clean the filter container out also under a running tap.

All seal joints are lubricated with a Silicon Grease to stop the seals cracking.

Baskets replaced old tank water used to top up the container.

Next most important I add a "Double Dose" of Seachem Stability to keep the bacteria healthy.

Fix the top on, clamp down and top up via the inlet.

Reconnect to tank turn it on and off it goes ready until the next cleaning.

Over the years I think I have heard every reason why I am doing it wrong, if that is the case why are my tanks healthy, fish live over 20 years, shrimps breeding, plants growing well.

The sponges are a very small percentage of my total filter medium and substrate, it is no different than replacing a sponge of filter pad or a medium in a basket.

I must admit I have had about 47 years experience with fish tanks and that helps a lot.

Keith

 

[craig20102010]

well im just in the process of making a new filter.

One that will have a high flow rate (adjustable) and will be able to spread my Co2 all around the tank easily but also have small enough pipe work that it will fit into the lid of my tank still.

Its a little upgrade from what i have which is 9 - 10mm piping up to 13mm piping but im increasing the flow from 550l/h with two filters to one filter which has a power head producing 800l/h

I understand this may be too much but at least i will be able to slow it down if need be plus im allowing for some loss in flow due to Filtration media.

I will keep you all posted when its complete. Hopefully it all works out. At the moment im struggling to find pipe fittings e.g inline taps, and threaded pipes with 0 ring seals with 13mm diameter barbs on the other side. In shops anyway. There are a few on ebay but hard to find something when you have no idea what its called.

 

[GR1KTR]

If you have any more sick fish, try to get a photo and post it here. We can help to ID the illness and give advice on the best treatment.

Best of luck!

 

[keithgh]

Craig

Go and talk to an Irrigation or Plumbing suppliers and they should have all the fittings you require.

Keith

 

[craig20102010]

so just an update on the tank at the minute with some up to date photos of how it looks now.

As you can see its nearly cleared up.. i say nearly because it still appears to have a cloudy haze. The Lights and power did go off for a 5 day period after the first 5 days of running the U.V light. I left the U.V light off then for a further week and iv just turned it back on now in case it was the green water coming back.

Is this the green water returning or is it something else?
Should i run the U.V light all the time?

I trimmed it all right back now so that theres no plants in the foreground until im ready to add a new foreground carpeting plant any suggestions? Plus everything died right back due to no lights and power including the Cuba that i had in there .

Still struggling with the Irrigation fittings. I struggle to get off work in time to go to any plumber shops but i think i may of found some on ebay that look like the ones i want/need. Then i can remove that internal filter!

You can see that my Rotala wallichii has really suffered from the lack of light... It appears to be starting to grow new shoots so im confident i can get that one back on track! Hopefully the single 24w PL lamp will be enough to get the colours back in it.