Filter Questions

[AGreen1209]

Currently we have a 10 gallon tank with two gf (I know, too small, but we set
it up as newbies. We are looking to upgrade to a 30gal soon). Anyway, we have
a ryukin that is probably around 2.5 or 3 inches long, and a black moor that is
about an inch or so. They have a fine particled sand substrate (again, newbie
stuff, I want something a bit coarser than playground sand next time), I keep
an air pump running all the time, and we are currently using a Penguin Mini
with the biowheel. We've had this filter for a few weeks.

In that time, I've noticed that the water has been getting a greenish cast, and
I've had more algae everywhere - is this part of having this type of filter?
Before we had a cheap filter, I think it was an Aquaclear Mini, it seemed to
keep the water clear but we had two of them totally burn out in six months.

I had the greeny-cloudy water, and the past two weeks since the biowheel
started getting more gunk on it, I've noticed that the water flows back into
the tank on the intake side even with a new cartridge in place. The biowheel
still turns freely, but when it is in place the water backs up and down the
intake side. I tested my levels the other day, about three days past a 30%
water change, and had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 20ppm nitrates. I did another
30% change, and cleaned and inspected all parts of the filter, everything is as
it should be.

Is this normal for the filter? Also, should I use a bigger filter?

Thanks!

[Gunther]

In article >,
says...
> Currently we have a 10 gallon tank with two gf (I know, too small, but we set
> it up as newbies. We are looking to upgrade to a 30gal soon). Anyway, we have
> a ryukin that is probably around 2.5 or 3 inches long, and a black moor that is
> about an inch or so. They have a fine particled sand substrate (again, newbie
> stuff, I want something a bit coarser than playground sand next time), I keep
> an air pump running all the time, and we are currently using a Penguin Mini
> with the biowheel. We've had this filter for a few weeks.
>
> In that time, I've noticed that the water has been getting a greenish cast, and
> I've had more algae everywhere - is this part of having this type of filter?
> Before we had a cheap filter, I think it was an Aquaclear Mini, it seemed to
> keep the water clear but we had two of them totally burn out in six months.
>
> I had the greeny-cloudy water, and the past two weeks since the biowheel
> started getting more gunk on it, I've noticed that the water flows back into
> the tank on the intake side even with a new cartridge in place. The biowheel
> still turns freely, but when it is in place the water backs up and down the
> intake side. I tested my levels the other day, about three days past a 30%
> water change, and had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 20ppm nitrates. I did another
> 30% change, and cleaned and inspected all parts of the filter, everything is as
> it should be.
>
> Is this normal for the filter? Also, should I use a bigger filter?
>

I think you're seeing a combination of effects, all of which will
improve when you get that 30G tank up and running.
a 3" Ryunkin produces a lot of waste, so your existing setup
is straining to keep up. You maybe need to do more frequent
water changes, say 3 per week, and check the filter media
for gunk on a daily basis. 20ppm nitrates only 3 days
after a waterchange says that you're really processing a
lot of ammonia. You should congratulate your bio-bugs
on the fine job they're doing. :-)


I'm not fan of those Penguin filter cartridges; in my
experience, it doesn't take much gunk to seriously impede
the water flow through them. Try removing the carbon and
see if the water flow problem is alleviated. (just cut between
the floss and the frame alone one side and shake the stuff out.
You don't need it, and it just blocks the holes after a couple days.)
Or remove the cartridge entirely and stuff polyester batting
in the cavity. That stuff is cheap enough to replace daily
and you can adjust the flow restriction by using more or less
batting. Remove ALL the blue stuff from a cartridge and use
the frame as a baffle in this case if that makes sense.

The fine-grained sand may be getting sucked up in the power
filter, thus burning out the previous ones. Maybe put a mesh
bootie over the intake tube? Be sure to periodically check
the impeller blades for build-up of sand, etc.

The algae just takes time to develop, you might try locating
your new tank in a darker part of the room if possible, away
from sunlight. A diatom filter (Vortex or others) can clear
the green water also, and you can learn to like the algae
deposit on the back and sides, just scrape down the front
and anywhere you need to be able to see in.

Good luck, and go get the 30G...the sooner you start,
the sooner you can retire the 10G to hospital status.

Gunther

[AGreen1209]

Thanks for the reply -

I removed the carbon, and I'm going to try some different things with the
filter. Removing the carbon has improved the water flow quite a bit - I
couldn't believe how much carbon I poured out. FWIW, I only used carbon in my
two previous filters if I had treated the water and wanted to remove that
chemical after a period of days.

Hopefully I'll begin to see an improvement in the water quality.


Amanda

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Amanda,

I'd stick with sand rather than go for gravel. Goldies can suck up gravel
and get it stuck inside them. Sand can pass through or be easily spat out.

[AGreen1209]

>Amanda,
>
>I'd stick with sand rather than go for gravel. Goldies can suck up gravel
>and get it stuck inside them. Sand can pass through or be easily spat out.

That's why I went to sand from gravel, but unfortunately I'm having trouble
with my filters with the sand. I put a piece of nylon over the intake tube of
my penguin biowheel mini this morning about 6am, and when I got home tonight at
6:30pm the water was down to mere trickle, the nylon was totally clogged with
sand particles.

Maybe a coarser sand?


Amanda

[SamB]

Try shortening the pick up tube. Cut an inch or so off. Will still pull
out poop but not the sand.
SamB
"AGreen1209" > wrote in message
...
> >Amanda,
> >
> >I'd stick with sand rather than go for gravel. Goldies can suck up gravel
> >and get it stuck inside them. Sand can pass through or be easily spat
out.
>
> That's why I went to sand from gravel, but unfortunately I'm having
trouble
> with my filters with the sand. I put a piece of nylon over the intake
tube of
> my penguin biowheel mini this morning about 6am, and when I got home
tonight at
> 6:30pm the water was down to mere trickle, the nylon was totally clogged
with
> sand particles.
>
> Maybe a coarser sand?
>
>
> Amanda
>
>