Recently my old filter died and I had to run out and buy a new one. I got a Penguin Bio Wheel 125 which works fine.
However, in a couple of days I noticed that my babies were not overly happy, especially the tiger barbs that stayed hidden under a rock, and one of my angels who kept fading his stripes (I'm assuming he does that when he's stressed?)
I tested the ammonia levels and SHOCK AND HORROR they were up to 2 (they were fine with the old filter earlier).
I immediately did a 33% water change but didn't think it would be enough. So I got the sponge from my old filter and cut in in half so that it was the same size, but only half as fat. I then stuffed that thin slice of sponge into my Penguin filter. It hasn't affected the running of the Penguin but the ammonia level dropped overnight. Two days later I did another 25% water change, and now the water is fine (I think, hold on, I'll just go do a test now)....
waiting, waiting.....
.......Five minutes later...dammit, it's still on .25. More water changes coming up. How often can I do them? Daily? Every second day? What else can I do?
And just another point. Is there any reason that instead of buying new filter cartridges, I can't just slit the top of the old one open and insert some new active carbon? I'm asking because I just bought a large container of the stuff before the old filter died. Maybe just a few times then replace and repeat?
Kerry
However, in a couple of days I noticed that my babies were not overly happy, especially the tiger barbs that stayed hidden under a rock, and one of my angels who kept fading his stripes (I'm assuming he does that when he's stressed?)
I tested the ammonia levels and SHOCK AND HORROR they were up to 2 (they were fine with the old filter earlier).
I immediately did a 33% water change but didn't think it would be enough. So I got the sponge from my old filter and cut in in half so that it was the same size, but only half as fat. I then stuffed that thin slice of sponge into my Penguin filter. It hasn't affected the running of the Penguin but the ammonia level dropped overnight. Two days later I did another 25% water change, and now the water is fine (I think, hold on, I'll just go do a test now)....
waiting, waiting.....
.......Five minutes later...dammit, it's still on .25. More water changes coming up. How often can I do them? Daily? Every second day? What else can I do?
And just another point. Is there any reason that instead of buying new filter cartridges, I can't just slit the top of the old one open and insert some new active carbon? I'm asking because I just bought a large container of the stuff before the old filter died. Maybe just a few times then replace and repeat?
Kerry
