My First Tank

[neo83]

does your air pump have a valve on it? (usually a little plastic black bit with a screw to increase/reduce airflow) you could try turning this down.
Some light bars are quite waterproof. Others are not. i havent used a Fluval tank so not sure, but i would have thought it should be OK.

Another fix would be to buy a condensation tray that sits between the water and the lights. This also (as the name suggests) stops condensation mucking up your lights.

Thanks timmy, yes the air pump is currently connected to an air flow valve and i have kept the flow to a minimum where it is enough to provide enough surface agitation. The end of the tubes have a plastic casing on them when they connect to the hood as shown below in someone else's image (hope thats not an issue referring to other people's images)

So effectively, sprinkle should not get in contact near the end points and only with the tube itself. Is that safe enough and can i stop being paranoid now?

Thanks

 

[neo83]

Right guys, here is my video of my new addition to my fish village - apistogramma viejita. The video is a bit long with not much excitement (sorry), but it does feature both the apisto and the bolivian ram.

 

[Skins]

Your fish are looking very happy Neo

 

[neo83]

Thanks Skins.

I currently have a Fluval U3 internal filter which came with the tank and planning to get the Fluval 305 or 405 external filter. I have to say that i would not be upgrading my tank (125l) in the near future though due to various reasons, but obviously both the external filters i mentioned should give me much more filtration capacity. I understand in terms of providing biological filtration, there is no limit , but in terms of water flow using these filters, would there be an issue? Did anyone use these filters on smaller tanks like mine?

Thanks

 

[Skins]

Hello Neo,
I use the 205 on my Roma 125 ltr which houses 4 fantails(messy fish) and it copes very well with the bio load. With the 05 series filters you can adjust the flow rate on the aqua stop(black lever).

Skins.

 

[neo83]

Hello Neo,
I use the 205 on my Roma 125 ltr which houses 4 fantails(messy fish) and it copes very well with the bio load. With the 05 series filters you can adjust the flow rate on the aqua stop(black lever).

Skins.

Thanks skins.

I'm planning to get either fluval 305 or 405 as there isn't much of a price difference. But does anyone think that 405 would be too much for the 125 litre?

 

[Skins]

I would say yes but then again it would not hurt simply because, having the option to adjust the flow rate, and secondly having such a big canister will result in larger surface area for the A&N bacs to colonise.
Skins.

 

[neo83]

Thanks Skins. The only reason i'm asking again is because when i was reading the manual is that the aquastop valve should only be shifted to above halfway as a maximum, otherwise the filter would not work properly. So wondering with the 405, will i be in a situation where the flow control is too much even after shifting the aquastop valve to the maximum allowed level?

 

[Skins]

Does have quite a bit of turn over(LPH), may be opt for the 305 this is what i use on my 240ltr. Very quiet, plenty of space for media and try to remember to lubricate the canisters head O-ring from time to time, increases its life span.

Skins.

 

[neo83]

Thanks Skins. I have decided on the Fluval 305 now. Think i'll be trying more to reduce the flow and thinking of the fish all the time about coping with the current than be happy about better filtration if i choose the 405 . Do you have the fluval tank as well?

EDIT: Apologies Skins, as you already told me that you have the roma 125

 

[neo83]

Right guys

i need a bit of advice on this. I'm planning to get the fluval 305 external filter and currently running on fluval U3 internal filter. What's the best way to switch over from the U3 to 305. Since my tank is a 125 litre, i don't really want to be running two filters. My U3 filter is cycled as well, so shall i put the entire bio media into the 305 media basket along with the media it comes with and start it up and just run on 305 or will i be taking a risk if i do this?

Thanks

 

[Skins]

Hello Neo,
When you get your 305 there will be carbon in the bottom/mid media basket, i would take that out(shelve it) and replace it with some of your media from your U3. If there is any free space after adding your exsisting media then add some biomax.

Hope this helps, Skins.

 

[neo83]

Thanks Skins. I have not seen physically as to how much biomax media can be fitted in 305, but i'm assuming U3 will not have that much biomax (where all the bacteria is present??) media compared to 305. My initital idea was to add the biomax (again assuming that all bacteria is on them) to the biomax that came with 305. Do you think i need to remove the carbon so that i can use that basket for U3 biomax rather than adding it to the 305 biomax media basket itself?

Thanks

 

[Skins]

Hi Neo,
Your aim is to get all the media from your u3 into the 305. Your 305 will be able to accommodate a lot of surface area media(sponges/biomax). By removing the carbon from the 305 this will free up a lot of space which to house media from your u3 and add some more.

Skins.

 

[neo83]

Thanks Skins.

WD has already explained the use of carbon in this thread and also the very minimal time the provided carbon last for. So do you think it's better to save it for when i have to remove medication, than to use it now? Also if i dont use the carbon now, will the 3 bags of biomax provided with the 305 be enough to fill all the baskets or do i need to purchase anymore for the initial setup? I'm confirming this as i dont want to purchase more media just to fill the baskets now itself because i cannot justify anymore purchases to my wife ?

Also, is there any specific order as to the types of media in the different levels of baskets?

Thanks