Tropical Aquarium advice wanted...

[Sparks!]

I've had an aquarium for a few years now, lately I have admittedly been neglecting it a bit, the tank is in a bad state at the minute and I am in the process of cleaning it out as much as possible without harming the fish. I have decided to buy a new filter, as the Fluval 2 I have in it just doesn't seem to be that much good...

I want something that is poweful and effective for around about £30? I want do make the aquarium as maintenance-free as possible (although I know it still requires some degree of maintenenace!!) so open to all options really as long as I don't have to spend /too/ much on it.

It's a 3 ft tank , I'm wondering if the fluval 2 is just too small for the tank? What makes it slightly worse is that there is a plec (cat fish thing) in there which is about 12 inches long, its massiveeeee and makes a lot of mess

Any ideas? Really need to get this tank back on track.

edit...

seems the fluval 2 is for a 2ft tank, the 2 being a give away so why did the fish shop lady sell me a fluval 2 along with my 3 foot tank damn it.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Tonka]

It's like deja vu, as I've just gone and bought a new aquarium because I'm so hacked off with the maintenance on the 3ft one I have currently (Clear-seal 24 gallon)

I have a Fluval 304 (about £70 if I remember) for the current aquarium and it does an excellent job on the water, but I have a problem with the algae and that seems to mean I am forever taking it all to pieces to de-gunk it. Apparently I can buy anti-algae treatment which may help. Is this similar to the problem you have?

These guys seem to be one of the cheaper places if you're gonna buy new www.onlineaquariumstore.com or if you know what model to look for, ebay I guess.
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'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Sparks!]

Don't have algae problems, just the tank is generally dirty and the water really cloudy now. Cleaned most of the gravel and rocks etc, but the fluval really isn't doing a great job of filtering out the cloudy water (from cleaning the gravel etc...)

I'm tempted by an external filter, surely they must be more powerful than internal ones?

my sisters tank is crystal clear with loads of fish, keep meaning to ask what filter they've got, but keep forgetting!

edit

Been looking on ebay, think I might get one of these... anyone got one?

Interpet EPF250
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[Tonka]

The Fluval 304 is an external filter. In an aquarium that size, unless it's all purpose built, the external ones are the only ones that are likely to be man enough.

Hope you don't think I'm being cheeky, but have you been through the carbon and sponges to see if they need replacing? Can't do it all at once, but maybe a cheaper option if you haven't done it already.

BTW there are always loads of ads in the local papers/shops selling on second hand aquarium stuff so that may be an option if the funds are tight.
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Sparks!]

[Tonka]

I took a look at the Interpet link and it seemed good and should do the job if it filters 55 gallons!!

I've found all my hobbies haemorrhage money, but this bike lark is the worst by far!!

Hope the fishies'll be happy with their new fresh water - it's the equivalent of giving them drugs, I guess
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Sparks!]

[cagiva gezzer]

Run an external with the existing internal. Cloudy water won't be solved by filtration alone The biological balance of the tank is probably messed up from the neglect.

Change 10% of the water every day for a week, siphoning from the gravel. Get some biological additives to help kickstart biological filtration
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[sickpup]

The Fluval 2 is for a two foot standard tank, the fluval 3 is needed for your tank.

[Sparks!]

Various water changes done, Interpet EPF250 external filter fitted, suitable for 250liters... my tank is about 150 at most I think.

Only been set up for a few hours but water is now near on crystal clear already!!

Set up all the ornaments/fake plants and installed new lights, reflector and blue cathode night lights....

Remaining fish survived fine and healthy.

I'm happy now.

https://www.sparksfreestyle.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/tanknightlight.jpg
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[Scouse]

Where's ya 12 incher?

[Tonka]

Looks good - happy days and happy fishies.....poor wallet!

I'm off to buy new fish for my new tank this afternoon, as water tests all up to speed now - yippee!!
____________________
'The core of a man's spirit comes from new experiences'
Suzuki SV650S (Clean); Yamaha XT250 Serow (Dirty)

[Chinaboy]

Sparks,

I am a bit of a an aquarium freak, I keep Discus which need to be highly maintained, ie water changes every day, 40% in my 300 litre tank, and thats just one of my tanks.

I use external cannister filters, Eheim make a range of bulletproof externals that are so quiet you would never know they are running.
Tanks can never be maintenance free I'm afraid, so for one, I would dump the gravel, and replace with a 1/2" deep layer of swimming pool filter sand, you can get this at your local fish shop. (cheap)This is far better than gravel, as uneaten food and poop will stay on the surface, and not get ground up and get trapped between the the stones. When this happens, and you do not have a regular routine of cleaning, water quality is severly compromised, ammonia levels reach a point where your filter cannot handle it and it ends up killing your fish.
With a thin layer of sand, you can see the waste, and gently siphon out all the rubbish, knowing you have got it all.
If you have it planted, I would also dump the plants, as they can also rot and die, again lowering your water quality.

If you want a cheap but good filter, why not go down the route of a Huey Hung Sponge filter. (around £10)Here is a link: https://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/DiscusSouth/index.php?cat=Sponge_Filters

These are air driven and have a huge capacity to process waste in the water collumn, they meachnically and biologically clean the water.

You said that you had replaced some filter media, and had no real change, the problem here is that if you remove your filter media, you will have no biological filtration, your toxic levels will increase, and you get sick fish.
To start off a 'new' cycle in a cleaned out tank, you can go the route of a fishless cycle, which is far more fish friendly. I can give you more advice should you require it.

For those of you with fish, or who love to see fish, we, as an organisation are holding our inaugural Discus Show in Bristol in November, the 15th and 16th. Here is the link to that: https://www.british-discus-show.com/

Any fish problems, just pm me

Steve

[Sparks!]

Cheers Steve, discuss fish look amazing but way too much hassle for me!

I bought an Interpet EPF250 in the end. Cost me £60 but the tank is now absolutely crystal clear. I'm amazed. The only thing is... it's very very quiet however, it makes a humming/whirling type noise which is at a very very annoying pitch!!! so altho it's not noisey as such its rather annoying Need to look into soundproofing the under-cupboard a bit maybe that'll reduce the hum.

Other than that the tank is looking great, going to leave it a few weeks for filter and tank to stabilise then will get some more fish

And scouse, the 12 incher is hiding in that big rock on the right... normally have it closed off but the bastid won't leave the cave for me to close it
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[mistergixer]

[Chinaboy]

Hi Sparks, glad you replied.
For the humming, you could get an old hand towel, and fold it into a square and rest the cannister on there, it should reduce the HUMMMMMMMMMMM a bit.

I will not tell you how to suck eggs, but if you can do a 50% water change twice a week, you will see such an improvement in your fish's colours and personalities it will amaze you.

When you feel like you want to 'clean your filter media in the cannister, never run the media under the tap, use siphoned tank water in a bucket and just rinse. That way you are not exposing the media to chlorine from naked tap water or other heavy metals that are in tap water. Then all the good bacteria, although reduced by rinsing, will still be healthy and active right away.

Also, and I guess you do this anyway, is to use a de-chlorinator to treat the new water you add to the tank.

Just watch that when you do add more fish to your tank, watch out for ammonia spikes that can occur if your filter is not fully matured.

I know that because I keep discus, when ever I want to add fish I put them through 6 weeks of quarentine before they even see my display tank, so just make sure you pick bright, perky fish, not dark stay in the corner ones.

Good luck mate, as I said, just shout if you have any problems, ask me before you go to your local fish shop and they tell you a load of bollox and throw meds at them.

Steve

[Chinaboy]

Hi Mixer,

I only play at keeping these fish, some of my friends have converted garages, sheds, rooms, into fish rooms. But hey, got to have some vices

Oscars are lovely when they get big, but too bullish for me really. Discus are such fine creatures and I find them very rewarding, and keep my mind of the bad things in life.

Steve

[mistergixer]

[jackw72]

I want a hundred neon tetras and five cray fish and a tank.

I only need to be sponsored now.

Any volunteers?


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08/11/2007 A2 Passed.
Suzuki GSXR 1000 K3
Rapid Training passed

[Chinaboy]

100 Neons + 5 Cray Fish = 50 Neons + 5 Fat Cray Fish

Honestly Jack, at night the Crays will pick off the neons.

hth

Steve

[Sparks!]

[sickpup]

[Sparks!]

FINALLY I've managed to get some new pics of the pleco!!!

The last time I got a pic of him he was tiny:

https://www.sparksfreestyle.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_pleccy2.jpg

As of today:

https://www.sparksfreestyle.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/pleco0708-1.jpg
https://www.sparksfreestyle.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/pleco0708-2.jpg

As you can see in the first pic he's on the corner of the rock that he is now twice as big as


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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Chinaboy]

[/quote]

My local place is Wholesale Tropicals, they never try to push you into buying anything. Any shop that does should be avoided.[/quote]

Absolutley right Sickpup, so many will sell you stuff that isn't needed. Generally a decent water change routine willl avoid most tank issues. Look after the water and the rest is easy.

Sparks, the tank looks good, just keep an eye on the ammonia levels while your new filter is maturing. Your Plec looks nice, although I cannot keep them with Discus as they get a taste for the slime coating that dicus have, and end up damaging the fish

Steve

[Sparks!]