I recently upgraded my Fluval 305 and 407 canister filters to Biohome Ultimate Bio-Media to eliminate the NO3. Apparently, the ceramic rings are not porous enough to do the job.

Check this video out:
Hi @Fishfunn

This has crossed my mind as I have a lot more fish I think my filter needs cleaning more than once a month it looked grubby when I removed carbon. I will take a look at video do you find yours better?
 
More of an affirmation than a suggestion... I think you are more than 200% stoked at the moment. I know experienced Aquarist that where maintaining overcrowded Ciclids tanks and they where always moving fish and decor around to prevent any sort of pecking order to establish... And when you start to have to manually intervene to stop fighting's. You can be sure that the level of stress is pretty high all the time. The Large water changes are there to prevent accumulation of pheromones in the water.



You can do 2x50% with no problems, for the same results over a week.



Thats is Ok, But... I was asking about Nitrite. that could be a supplemental stressing factor for a sick fish.



That's perfect.



Don't worry you are in good hands... If I don't know the answer, I'm ;) pretty good at making stuff up !

Since you have been a "little" misguided from the start, you have some work on the plank.

Once the internal parasitic problem fixed...

The first step would be to asses your water hardness and choose your required course of action to be able to provide water within the parameters of your chosen specie(s). or choose specie(s) that are good with these. This is often overlooked by beginners, but is a major factor in long term fish health.

Second research the kind of environment the chosen fishes live in and try to emulate it as much as possible. Verify their compatibility and space requirements. Limit the number of fish and species to fit your environment.

Don't take anything as granted without your, "Personal Approbation Seal", based on the result of "your own" research.
More than 200% stocked 😰😱🫣 that’s not good really not good I did think no more now the tanks is full enough most of my fish are larger fish 🐠 I know people have tons of neons and mollys etc.

I’m so attached to them I did return geo’s to fish store my quarantine tank was too small for them and they were not happy at all.

It’s just strange my fish store do normally say like don’t put this in for example I liked the shrimp but was told the angels would eat them, parrot fish are aggressive, siamiese fighting fish would be attacked by discus, the angels ate all my neon tetras so I won’t be putting any more in. They are extremely helpful and will do water tests if I feel something is off.

I will look more into habitats etc I won’t buy anymore fish for now. I though sand substrate, sword plants and natural wood would have been ideal for South America fish like discus and angels.

Sounds like I need a good book 📖 my aquarium store doesn’t sell any. Online you get such conflicting information. It’s hard to know what’s right.
 
It’s just strange my fish store do normally say like don’t put this in for example I liked the shrimp but was told the angels would eat them, parrot fish are aggressive, siamiese fighting fish would be attacked by discus, the angels ate all my neon tetras so I won’t be putting any more in. They are extremely helpful and will do water tests if I feel something is off.
Its good that LFS will tell you what fish can exist with another because that is reality. You have to do your own research before you buy. The bottom line is that the LFS has to keep you happy, or you will give up the hobby and not come back.
I will look more into habitats etc I won’t buy anymore fish for now. I though sand substrate, sword plants and natural wood would have been ideal for South America fish like discus and angels.
Yes, I stick with South American fish since I can get the water parameters they like, and I do like those fish and plants as well.
Sounds like I need a good book 📖 my aquarium store doesn’t sell any. Online you get such conflicting information. It’s hard to know what’s right.
This website is really good for information gathering. I do agree that we all have to look at all the information we hear and pick what makes sense. There are a lot of opinions out there, and we have to be smart and research the facts.
 
Hi @Fishfunn

This has crossed my mind as I have a lot more fish I think my filter needs cleaning more than once a month it looked grubby when I removed carbon. I will take a look at video do you find yours better?
Yes, it depends on how big your fish are and how many fish you have. I normally don't clean my canister filter unless I start to notice the output water flow has decreased. In those 'pimp my canister' videos, I didn't know that Biohome bio-media existed and, in the past, relied on water changes and plants to eliminate nitrates. I put Biohome bio-media in one canister so far, so I am seeing if it can handle the nitrates. I know it takes a while to slowly build up the anaerobic bacteria that break down nitrates. Time will tell.
 
If you have a quarantine tank you could isolate the fish so it is easier and cheaper to treat, rather than treating the entire tank. You can use plastic storage containers for temporary holding tanks.
 
I started keeping Discus recently and not knowledgeable than most experts. Try to get in touch your LFS or the Discus breeder and ask him for the medication and food he fed and you could do due diligence from that base. Discus are schooling fish and that makes a huge difference in their health and growth. Other variables and parameters come in once the school forms a hierarchy. Hope that helps.
 
More than 200% stocked 😰😱🫣 that’s not good really not good I did think no more now the tanks is full enough most of my fish are larger fish 🐠 I know people have tons of neons and mollys etc.

I’m so attached to them I did return geo’s to fish store my quarantine tank was too small for them and they were not happy at all.

It’s just strange my fish store do normally say like don’t put this in for example I liked the shrimp but was told the angels would eat them, parrot fish are aggressive, siamiese fighting fish would be attacked by discus, the angels ate all my neon tetras so I won’t be putting any more in. They are extremely helpful and will do water tests if I feel something is off.

I will look more into habitats etc I won’t buy anymore fish for now. I though sand substrate, sword plants and natural wood would have been ideal for South America fish like discus and angels.

Sounds like I need a good book 📖 my aquarium store doesn’t sell any. Online you get such conflicting information. It’s hard to know what’s right.

If you like an evaluation of your current setup. Give a try at AqAdvisor.

https://aqadvisor.com/

For fish information, many members here are swearing by SeriouselyFish

https://seriouslyfish.com/
 
If you have a quarantine tank you could isolate the fish so it is easier and cheaper to treat, rather than treating the entire tank. You can use plastic storage containers for temporary holding tanks.
No Colin

Thanks for reply he seemed really weak in the morning was laying at bottom of tank very dark on head/eyes and face please see pictures other fish started to almost nudge/bully him. I didn’t ideally want to move him because of him being so weak but did what you said and quarantine him. I put treatment in initially he picked up the colour came back in his eyes and he started swimming around roughly 2am he started to look almost like he was having a seizure I checked water levels were all good nitrate below 20 but did a partial water change just incase he died this afternoon but was just not at top or bottom in center of tank just mouth open stiff 😭😭😭😭 I don’t know 🤷🏼‍♀️ if something neurological was wrong with him but I’ve attached the final picture looks a little red around the gills. I’m just really worried all fish in the main tank are fine but wondering if possible disease in my main tank now? 😥😰
 

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Hi @Fishfunn

This has crossed my mind as I have a lot more fish I think my filter needs cleaning more than once a month it looked grubby when I removed carbon. I will take a look at video do you find yours better?
@Fishfunn I really found the YouTube video very informative thank you. I buy the fluval kits to replace biomedia will definitely look into this. Can I ask you have both 307 and 407 filters I’m considering buying a 407 to run alongside both my internal and external 307 filter. Are you running both on your main tank? My tank is 239Litres which I can see he’s only advised max 200L and less if overstocked. I agree with what you’re saying and he’s saying my nitrate will creep up although other levels stay low. Silly question if I was to fit another external I’m assuming my inlets and outlets cannot be near each other? What’s the placement of yours? Possibly could you give advice?

Many Thanks
 
No Colin

Thanks for reply he seemed really weak in the morning was laying at bottom of tank very dark on head/eyes and face please see pictures other fish started to almost nudge/bully him. I didn’t ideally want to move him because of him being so weak but did what you said and quarantine him. I put treatment in initially he picked up the colour came back in his eyes and he started swimming around roughly 2am he started to look almost like he was having a seizure I checked water levels were all good nitrate below 20 but did a partial water change just incase he died this afternoon but was just not at top or bottom in center of tank just mouth open stiff 😭😭😭😭 I don’t know 🤷🏼‍♀️ if something neurological was wrong with him but I’ve attached the final picture looks a little red around the gills. I’m just really worried all fish in the main tank are fine but wondering if possible disease in my main tank now? 😥😰
Also good in bottom was live food I tried it to encourage him to eat did not work syphoned out not long after just incase you were wondering from pics. Also I increased temp to 32degress but sadly as you can see he’s passed.
 
Its good that LFS will tell you what fish can exist with another because that is reality. You have to do your own research before you buy. The bottom line is that the LFS has to keep you happy, or you will give up the hobby and not come back.

Yes, I stick with South American fish since I can get the water parameters they like, and I do like those fish and plants as well.

This website is really good for information gathering. I do agree that we all have to look at all the information we hear and pick what makes sense. There are a lot of opinions out there, and we have to be smart and research the facts.
I find people on here very friendly and helpful maybe I need to look through this site more especially for tips. Definitely it’s like Doctor Google when your searching online so much conflicting information just wish I knew what I was doing more you think a few months into this I would be a pro so much to consider I really do love my fish and the hobby though can’t imagine being without them dispute the heart break 💔 of losing them I get so attached.
 
@Fishfunn I really found the YouTube video very informative thank you. I buy the fluval kits to replace biomedia will definitely look into this. Can I ask you have both 307 and 407 filters I’m considering buying a 407 to run alongside both my internal and external 307 filter. Are you running both on your main tank? My tank is 239Litres which I can see he’s only advised max 200L and less if overstocked. I agree with what you’re saying and he’s saying my nitrate will creep up although other levels stay low. Silly question if I was to fit another external I’m assuming my inlets and outlets cannot be near each other? What’s the placement of yours? Possibly could you give advice?

Many Thanks
I am only running my 407 filter with my 65-gallon(~239 liters) tank, and that is plenty for me. It is a very well-made and powerful filter. It has 4 internal baskets for bio-media, etc. My fish load in the 65 gallon tanks is not high, I have two Corys, 4 Denison Barbs, and a good sized discus.
 
I find people on here very friendly and helpful maybe I need to look through this site more especially for tips. Definitely it’s like Doctor Google when your searching online so much conflicting information just wish I knew what I was doing more you think a few months into this I would be a pro so much to consider I really do love my fish and the hobby though can’t imagine being without them dispute the heart break 💔 of losing them I get so attached.
Yeah I like this website a lot over other ones I checked out. The experts on this site are very knowledgeable, helpful, and diplomatic. Other sites I been to I found to be a bit overwhelming with trolls. This site said they had to ban trolls in the past for their behavior and that was good news to hear. LOL

A great feature on the site is the search. Any information you want, you can search for past posts that will have that information.
 

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