Need assistance on picking the right filtration system

[Bedlamer]

LOL we were answering at the same time--likewise I agree with Sunny. So I'm saying instead of nuking the tank to start over, do your maintence first, see what happens, try a new bulb and timer see what happens, upgrade filtration see what happens, add some pumps for flow if you are getting a lot of detritus build up.

[Bedlamer]

Hmmm are you getting any hair algae? That stuff is harder to get rid off.

[Bedlamer]

Actually to save a thousand words--can you post up some pics?

[SunnyHouTX]

Yup, water changes are important and I'm pretty sure that's a huge part of the problem because of nitrate buildup and such in the 6 months.

[Bedlamer]

I never heard of the shop vac method of WC before. What do you do to avoid sucking up fish/substrate? I guess with just 2 largish fish its easy to avoid them. If you use a gravel vac tube you will be able to get a lot more gunk out of your tank.

[Bedlamer]

Do you know how you want to stock your tank? I know the moss ball is staying, and the 2 current fish are headed for the pond. Do you want more plants? What kinds of fish are you thing about?

[Britni]

I do not have any of the string algae. I normally catch the two fish throw em in a bucket and just pull out all the plants and rocks give them a good scrub while I'm at it then I stir up all the rocks and make a beautiful mess.


TexasHuntress

[Britni]

I try to avid the bottom because I don't want to pick up my rocks. I used to have an actual gravel vacuum wit the primer bulb but I came home one day to find my husband using it to siphon out gas from our boat's tank. Needless to say its no longer being used by me and he has yet to replace it.


TexasHuntress

[Bedlamer]

LOL at the husband!

[Britni]

TexasHuntress

[Bedlamer]

They method you describe works to clean the tank, but I can see it being such a PITA, that you would only do it every 6 months. I think maybe some upgraded cleaning gear/methods would make the chore a lot quicker/easier/less disruptive/stressful to your plants and critters, and make it a lot less onerous on you, so you don't mind don't it on a regular basis.

[Britni]

Yea that would be awesome


TexasHuntress

[Bedlamer]

That is a *lot*better than I pictured it. I think that is easily remedied.

[Bedlamer]

If you have room behind the tank, I would recommend situating the HOB mid tank.

[Bedlamer]

If you turn over that gravel with a gravel vac, or a fish that eats algae--bristle nosed plecos are good, otocinclus are as well, but less tolerant of poor water quality--or a fish that sucks up gravel and spits it out large gold fish, geophagus if the substrate was finer, will keep that sediment looking clean.