How To Change A Filter Properly? And Barbs Problem?

[flyboy]

Hi all wondering if anyone could help with this.

1.Is there a way to change a filiter properly I have Tetratec filters 250/300 which recommend changing one every month! So how do I change them without having problems and a need to do a mini cycle again? or will this be fine as the tank itself has filtered and not just the filter?


2. Also I currently have 5 golden barbs and 2 tiger barbs in an 18US gallon tank and recently the largest tiger barb seems to have bullied a smaller tiger barb to death and generally causing problems for the other tiger barbs yet not with the golden barbs. Would you suggest getting some a couple more tiger barbs (although im concerned will just happen again) or maybe buying a couple of green barbs etc instead as seems to leave other types alone?

alternatively was thinking about getting an alge eater but are there any that will go with barbs espically if ones quite aggressive?

 

[Dark Wolf]

Changing your filter media once every month, in my opinion is a load of rubbish, this is just what the company says, so that you buy more of their product. Media will last for months on end, what i'd suggest doing is check it every one or two months, and if it's really, really gunky, gently rinse it in some of your aquarium water (but not actually in the aqarium, take some water out and put it in a bucket).

 

[GRJ]

Cant help with the barb problem but as said in previous post, the filter company want you to keep buying media all the time. You dont need to, just check it, i check mine every 6 weeks and try and do it at the same time as a water change as this makes swilling the media in old tank water much easier, cuz you will have it already taken out in a bucket. Just 'GENTLY' swill the media in the water and reassemble the filter. DONT use tap water as the chlorine will kill your beneficial bacteria and you will have to start from scratch. They told me that i had to change the biological media every three months, but as long as its not all clogged up, just swill in old tank water. You only need to change sponge media when it is literally falling to bits. When you do need to change any media for new, only take half the old media out so the remaining half can seed the new media, then after a month or so take the other half out. HTH. GRJ

 

[corey01]

hes right- i used to have the tetra tec and the reason for changing the filter pads every month is because there is carbon in it.
i didnt really like the filter because
#1-cant cycle the filter because you change it every month
#2- costs lots of money every month

 

[GRJ]

I got the fluval 205 external and its so much easier to maintain, and i dont have to mess around in the tank. Also there are media baskets for you to ad other media if you wish to do so. I have never had a tetra tec filter so i dont know anything about them. GRJ

 

[Rooster]

Having to change media is a load of pants ! You only need to do ANYTHING if and when the flowrate drops... ie you see less water coming from the outlet.
Then you need to give the media a clean, sponge elements just need a good sqeezing in a bucket of old TANK water (during a water change )
solid media, such as "noodles" or bioballs etc, just need a swish about in old tank water again in a bucket.
All you are doing is dislodging/removing large bio gunk that is clogging the surface area... theres still going to be zillions of bacteria left, just rinse until theres no more "solids" coming out and you are done... pop it back in the filter until next time !
Exception to this is carbon based media, which will need replacing, or recharging... but you dont need ANY carbon in there unless theres a problem requiring medication.

I have a Fluval 2 sponge thats been doing its job for 5 years ! They only "need" replacing when they are totally clogged, which should never happen unless you neglect cleaning.

 

[newtotropical]

You dont need to change the filter pads, wash them in old tank water only. Th eonlt thing carbon does is remove meds after treatment. You dont need it all the time.

As for the Barbs if you can get more green tigers. They are very aggressive and need to be in bigger groups (6ish)

 

[flyboy]

You dont need to change the filter pads, wash them in old tank water only. Th eonlt thing carbon does is remove meds after treatment. You dont need it all the time.

As for the Barbs if you can get more green tigers. They are very aggressive and need to be in bigger groups (6ish)

Thanks everyone for that had a feeling was just for the money glad you could help as for the green barbs ill have to leave it then and see what happens cant stock 6 more was thinking more 2 thanks again

Matt

 

[mark.w.jones]

18 US Gallons is really, to small to keep tiger barbs. They need a lot of space 30 US Gallons+, a very heavily aquscaped / planted tank in order to break up lines of sight and I would suggest need keeping in groups of 8 or more. You are also quite severely limited in terms of what else you can stock them with. The greens are no better. I would advise you take him back to the shop you got him from and then get yourself a different small school to go with your golden barbs.

 

[murphyk32]

biggest thing about tiger barbs is males are much much more aggressive then females