Question about changing media - Fluval 204

[James Cheung]

Hi folks,

I have just installed a new Fluval 204 last night. It was kind of tedious to
set up but the performance is quite good.

I have the followings:

* 28 gallon fresh water tank * new setup
* will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
* two power heads
* Fluval 204 * installed all the media materials which came with the package

I just wonder, with this kind of setup, how often should I change the media
inside? I heard people don¹t maintain it for more than 6 months and still
working fine, but I seriously doubt it. I¹d like to ask for your feedbacks.
Thanks in advance.

- James

[Sue]

"James Cheung" > wrote in message
...
> Hi folks,
>
> I have just installed a new Fluval 204 last night. It was kind of tedious
> to
> set up but the performance is quite good.
>
> I have the followings:
>
> * 28 gallon fresh water tank * new setup
> * will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
> * two power heads
> * Fluval 204 * installed all the media materials which came with the
> package
>
> I just wonder, with this kind of setup, how often should I change the
> media
> inside? I heard people don¹t maintain it for more than 6 months and still
> working fine, but I seriously doubt it. I¹d like to ask for your
> feedbacks.
> Thanks in advance.
>
> - James

Sorry, you can't keep koi in such a small tank - usually they are expected
to have 1000 gallons for the first fish and 100 gallons for each additional
fish. You could keep two, three at a push, fancy goldfish but these too will
outgrow the tank eventually.
Google " the nitrogen cycle" to find out how to proceed - once this filter
is running it should only need opening about three times a year on an
appropriately stocked tank.

[James Cheung]

Hi Sue,

Oh wow, 1000 gallons? I suppose that unless I have a pond, I wouldn't be
able to keep Koi then? Hm... Interesting. Thanks for the feedback though.


- James


On 1/14/06 9:20 AM, in article
, "Sue"
> wrote:

>
> "James Cheung" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I have just installed a new Fluval 204 last night. It was kind of tedious
>> to
>> set up but the performance is quite good.
>>
>> I have the followings:
>>
>> * 28 gallon fresh water tank � new setup
>> * will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
>> * two power heads
>> * Fluval 204 � installed all the media materials which came with the
>> package
>>
>> I just wonder, with this kind of setup, how often should I change the
>> media
>> inside? I heard people don�t maintain it for more than 6 months and still
>> working fine, but I seriously doubt it. I�d like to ask for your
>> feedbacks.
>> Thanks in advance.
>>
>> - James
>
> Sorry, you can't keep koi in such a small tank - usually they are expected
> to have 1000 gallons for the first fish and 100 gallons for each additional
> fish. You could keep two, three at a push, fancy goldfish but these too will
> outgrow the tank eventually.
> Google " the nitrogen cycle" to find out how to proceed - once this filter
> is running it should only need opening about three times a year on an
> appropriately stocked tank.
>
>

[Koi-lo]

Question about changing media - Fluval 204
"James Cheung" > wrote in message
...
Hi folks,

28 gallon fresh water tank - new setup
will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
============================
You can't keep koi in such a small fishtank. You are aware they get up to 2
1/2' to 3' long I hope. Yes, that's THREE FEET long! I keep them in a
2,000 gallon and a 800 gallon pond outside. Please rethink this and get a
few fancy goldfish instead. With excellent filtration and weekly partial
water changes you can keep up to 3 adult GF in your 28g tank. Be aware that
GF, if well fed and well cared for can reach almost ONE FOOT long.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-lo]

"James Cheung" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Sue,
>
> Oh wow, 1000 gallons? I suppose that unless I have a pond, I wouldn't be
> able to keep Koi then? Hm... Interesting. Thanks for the feedback though.
=======================
Please do a Google on koi and you will see why no one tries to keep them in
fishtanks. If they do they soon realize they need to either give them away
or put in a pond.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Elaine T]

James Cheung wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I have just installed a new Fluval 204 last night. It was kind of
> tedious to set up but the performance is quite good.
>
> I have the followings:
>
> * 28 gallon fresh water tank – new setup
> * will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
> * two power heads
> * Fluval 204 – installed all the media materials which came with the
> package
>
>
> I just wonder, with this kind of setup, how often should I change the
> media inside? I heard people don’t maintain it for more than 6 months
> and still working fine, but I seriously doubt it. I’d like to ask for
> your feedbacks. Thanks in advance.
>
> - James

When I was running Fluvals I had to clean them about every three months.
Watch the outflow and when it starts to really slow down, it's time
to clean. You never need to change the sponge or ceramic prefilter, but
change any chemical filtration you're using. I used to use Boyd's
Chemi-Pure in my fish-only tanks because it lasts for 3 months or more.

I'm sure you've read why koi don't fit in only 20 gallons of water.
Sarasa comets and Shubunkins are two kinds of single-tailed goldfish
that look similar to koi. They would be able to live in your tank until
they got really big (they can grow to a foot in good cinditions).

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Steve]

James Cheung wrote:
> Thanks for all the responses. I guess I should give up my desire of having
> Koi in my tank. I like Koi just because they're colorful and easy to
> maintain.
>
> Thanks for the advice on the Fluval 204. I will start checking on my media
> every couple of months then. :-)
>
> - James
>
Every couple of months sounds ok for the Fluval. However, on mine I
clean the intake screen at every water change. The flow slows down due
to plant bits if that is not done.
Steve

[James Cheung]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I should give up my desire of having
Koi in my tank. I like Koi just because they're colorful and easy to
maintain.

Thanks for the advice on the Fluval 204. I will start checking on my media
every couple of months then. :-)

- James


On 1/14/06 10:36 AM, in article
, "Elaine T"
> wrote:

> James Cheung wrote:
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I have just installed a new Fluval 204 last night. It was kind of
>> tedious to set up but the performance is quite good.
>>
>> I have the followings:
>>
>> * 28 gallon fresh water tank * new setup
>> * will put Koi fish in there, probably 6 at most
>> * two power heads
>> * Fluval 204 * installed all the media materials which came with the
>> package
>>
>>
>> I just wonder, with this kind of setup, how often should I change the
>> media inside? I heard people don¹t maintain it for more than 6 months
>> and still working fine, but I seriously doubt it. I¹d like to ask for
>> your feedbacks. Thanks in advance.
>>
>> - James
>
> When I was running Fluvals I had to clean them about every three months.
> Watch the outflow and when it starts to really slow down, it's time
> to clean. You never need to change the sponge or ceramic prefilter, but
> change any chemical filtration you're using. I used to use Boyd's
> Chemi-Pure in my fish-only tanks because it lasts for 3 months or more.
>
> I'm sure you've read why koi don't fit in only 20 gallons of water.
> Sarasa comets and Shubunkins are two kinds of single-tailed goldfish
> that look similar to koi. They would be able to live in your tank until
> they got really big (they can grow to a foot in good cinditions).

[Koi-lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
. ..
> James Cheung wrote:
>> Thanks for all the responses. I guess I should give up my desire of
>> having
>> Koi in my tank. I like Koi just because they're colorful and easy to
>> maintain.
>>
>> Thanks for the advice on the Fluval 204. I will start checking on my
>> media
>> every couple of months then. :-)
>>
>> - James
>>
> Every couple of months sounds ok for the Fluval. However, on mine I clean
> the intake screen at every water change. The flow slows down due to plant
> bits if that is not done.
> Steve
======================
Snip a small hole in a sponge and slip it over the intake.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
NEW PAGE: Aquariums:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy/Aquarium-Page4.html
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>