uh oh, did I mess up?

[gale]

I did a 25% water change tonight and vacuumed the gravel a little (maybe 1/3 of it since my tank is planted) and then I changed the filter cartridge. Did I screw up? Should I have waited a few days to change my cartridge? I do have a bio wheel but it's only been installed for a week or so. If I did mess up, how long will it be before I have to do more water changes to keep levels down?

btw I rinsed the new cartridge in old tank water but didn't rinse the old one in there first. My tank is cycled, btw. Or at least I think it is-I've always gotten good levels on my tests.

 

[juliethegr8t]

How long has your tank been set up? I sure hope it's cycled, or you could have some problems. You've gotten rid of most of the beneficial bateria in your tank by removing the old filter cartridge. Usually it's recommended to float the new cartridge in the tank for a week or so before changing them, if you even have to at all. (I don't unless it's absolutely necessary). Fortunately, your tank is planted so that should help a bit. I'd say test daily for the next week or two, and if you get any ammonia readings, do water changes until it goes away. Keep a close eye and you should be fine.

 

[freshmike]

How long has your tank been set up? I sure hope it's cycled, or you could have some problems. You've gotten rid of most of the beneficial bateria in your tank by removing the old filter cartridge. Usually it's recommended to float the new cartridge in the tank for a week or so before changing them, if you even have to at all. (I don't unless it's absolutely necessary). Fortunately, your tank is planted so that should help a bit. I'd say test daily for the next week or two, and if you get any ammonia readings, do water changes until it goes away. Keep a close eye and you should be fine.

Agreed.

 

[gale]

It's been set up for about 6 weeks I think. It was set up before that but not with any fish and the filter was not running.

I have quite a few decorations in the tank-would that help matters? There are 3 in there. Plus at least an inch or more of gravel. If the ammonia spikes how long might it take? At any rate I'll start doing daily tests starting tomorrow and I will feed only every other day for a while. I've become really attached to all of the fish so I'll cry if any die because of my stupidity.

 

[glolite]

I don't think decorations will help but live plants will coz they use up nitrates. If your tank has been set up for 6 weeks and the fish are ok then weekly water changes of 20 to 30 % should keep them healthy. What are your water parameters? Should be ammonia and nitrites nil.

 

[kev_kb]

Why did you change the filter media? If there is only 1 piece of media in the filter cut it in 2 and then next time you need to replace it you can do half at a time. The media should last months though, so just rinse it out every few weeks.

 

[blue_ram]

I wouldn't worry too much. There really isn't all that much surface area in the Penguin/Emperor series filter cartridge for the bacteria to colonize. Significant number of bacteria live in the gravel and the bio-wheel. It's unlikely that You will see any ammonia or nitrite spikes. Even if it does, it will be only a small spike for a few days before the new bacteria gets established in the new filter cartridge.

I would only be concerned if you replaced the bio-wheel, as there are SIGNIFICANT number of bacteria colonies living in the bio-wheel.

 

[gale]

Why did you change the filter media? If there is only 1 piece of media in the filter cut it in 2 and then next time you need to replace it you can do half at a time. The media should last months though, so just rinse it out every few weeks.

My filter is a penguin, which is a fiber square glued onto a plastic thing with carbon in between. The cartridge had been in there for over 30 days and I read on this forum that with carbon filters, you do have to change them every 30 days or so or else the carbon will leach chemicals back into the water. I am planning to cut the fiber and take out the carbon on this one but just didn't do it on the last one. Lazy I guess. Plus I need to get new scissors, I think. My other scissors have all been treated with undu, oil, etc at least a couple of times and I don't know if I could get it all rinsed off. I don't know if you know what undu is but it's extremely smelly.

Thanks everyone. As soon as I finish my lunch I'm going to test both of my tanks.

 

[thapsus]

Blue ram is absolutely right. I think there is no reason to be worried. But tell us how it ended up.

 

[gale]

tell us how it ended up.

so far so good. I tested today and ammonia is zero, nitrites zero and nitrates are 10.

 

[gale]

Test today:
ammonia between 0 and .25
nitrites zero
nitrates 10

So I did about a 15% water change without disturbing the gravel and without touching the filter. I also am still feeding only every other day.