Newbie With Enormous Troubles

[hogan53]

is that the filter there talking about ie cartridge= sponge?

 

[platypuss]

The 'service kit' = filter with sponge in it - the same with the first aid kit, although the sponge is green but I don't know what else is in the filter as it does not tell you- when i changed it for the first aid kit, it had a white sponge with black and white 'stone' underneath - if that helps

 

[hogan53]

yes do a water change use both stress coat and zyme keep some if you can for the morning and do another if possible.

 

[platypuss]

Do I turn the pump off and take water from bottom, or doesn't it matter. I don't want to stress the fish more than I have to?

 

[hogan53]

The filter is not mature thats what is causing your problems the stones take months to colonise with benefical bacteria do Not clean or change the sponges in the kit till the sponges are slimey
Only wipe clean with a kitchen towel in AQUARIUM WATER not tap water.

what ever is easiest and quickest for you.

 

[hogan53]

if you fill a clean container with tap water and leave it over night with your other filter distrubing the water surface that will remove most of the chlorine/chloramine.
then add some hot water to raise the temp. use the rest of the stress coat/zyme before you add to biuorb. this may give you a chance to get some treatments and conditioner.

good luck.

 

[MJM966]

This doesn't help with your current problem- but may for later on once everything is settled. I have a 35l biube and a 30l biorb as well as a 125l tank.

As I keep only one fish in the tank (a betta) I choose to do a 25% clean each week- syphoning the stones and in the 'hole' left by removing the filter device (the bit that looks like a loo brush!). I use Tetra Aqua Safe to condition the water, and Cycle to keep the beneficial bacteria levels correct. I rinse the filter sponge in the waster water- and tend to replace the sponge every 5-6 weeks. I don't use the service kits anymore- as they were expensive and wasteful. I've bought a pack of filter sponges, and a tub of charcoal and this comprises my 'kit'. This system works very well for me. I don't trust anything that says that you only have to clean the tank out every 4-6 weeks. I don't see how the ammonia and nitrite levels can stay at 0 for this length of time. Maybe someone else knows!

When it comes to medication- I use eSHa and Melafix and Pimafix and measure appropriately. Again - I don't see how a Biube first aid kit will do the trick for everything. Again, maybe others have different experiences.

Hope this is of some help. Good luck

 

[hogan53]

thank you for your e-mail its nice to know there is some people who will take the time to reply when your trying to help.
Anyway how are your fish?
hogan

 

[platypuss]

thank you for your e-mail its nice to know there is some people who will take the time to reply when your trying to help.
Anyway how are your fish?
hogan

Hi Hogan

I have replied to your e-mail - i am concerned about the size of ther gouramis i was given but she did check with her manager and said if i had any problems to go back