Particulate in water

[Scorp1us]

Hi all. I'm new here. I've got a tank (125g) that I got from a guy who used to keep piranha in it. I got this thing going back in December, and it's been doing well. There's a couple issues though.

The first is that I have a lot of aprticulate in my water - all the time. I have a Heim Pro II canister filter, and I'm using the sandy cichlid substrate. I've looked up the issue on the web, and invariably it's talking about stirred up gravel -- which is not my case. It's like the filter isn't working, but I have plenty of head pressure.

The other problem is I recently added Java moss and it is quickly dying off. I got it because it is supposed to me compatible with African cichlids (I have Malawi species, plus 3 BN plecos and 3 Pretricolas)

Anyway, my most pressing concern is the water clarity.

 

[scientist0724]

I'm not sure about your particulate problem, but your Java fern might be dying because you're not fertilizing your tank with iron, carbon, micronutrients and macronutrients.

Arlene

 

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More

Java "moss" or "fern", both should thrive without any supplements given adequate light. Your moss may have come from water that was acidic or even pH neutral in which case a pH of 7.8 or thereabouts could easily do it in.

Particulates? Like floating particles that you can see or is the water simply cloudy? Really doesn't matter I suppose, remedy is the same. First off, a single Eheim for a 125 is likely not enough filter irrespective of whether its a 2026/2226 or 2028/2228 though it really depends on the number of fish and how much you're feeding/overfeeding. Start by adding a foam pre-filter If your not already using one. Open up the Eheim: if it has two media trays ditch the coarse filter pad and replace it with the fine pad, and replace the fine pad with filter floss, that fluffy synthetic stuff that looks like glass wool. If it has three media trays, similarly replace the coarse pad with a fine one and the uppermost pad with floss.

That's as good as it gets, so go online and buy an Aquaclear 110 or see if someone in the club has one they'll sell because the fact is you need another horse. You could also buy another canister filter (Ebay has lots) and double them up which is the minimum I'd do for a 125. I've got a 55, a 75 and a 100 that all have two Eheims on them - either a 2026/2226/2028/2228 and a 2227 or 2229 wet-dry. My other 55 has two AC 110s. Why? Filtration is essential and good, and you almost certainly don't have enough.

 

[Scorp1us]

Yes, particles. The water itself is clear. The cloudiness comes from the light illuminating the the particles. I have some floating plants, and the water is "clear" Unger them. Plus i can see it all moving about.

Thanks for the filter info, I'll definitely give it a shot. I've got about 30 fish, all but the yellow tails are juvies.

 

[Scorp1us]

Here's a close-up of my water.

I'm thinking the filter pad switch would work, whenever I cleam my filter, there's not much biological material in it.

And my flow ball is all the way up.

 

[Tony]

And my flow ball is all the way up.

:blush:

 

[Avatar]

A bio-wheel by any other name....

Pants on, check. Shoes, keys, wallet, check. Flo-ball up, check. Ready to rock.

 

[dogofwar]

When's the last time you did a water change? Changed the mechanical media in the filter?

A powerhead quick filter or an air driven box filter could help with further mechanical filtration...

Matt

 

[Scorp1us]

Well i followed your filter suggestions, and in 24 hours it's a substantial improvement!! It's not 100% yet but getting there. I removed the course carbon filter and used the fine filter only with a top stage of filter floss. I might still get an additional canister filter, but I don't think it's a priority.

 

[Andrewtfw]

Well i followed your filter suggestions, and in 24 hours it's a substantial improvement!! It's not 100% yet but getting there. I removed the course carbon filter and used the fine filter only with a top stage of filter floss. I might still get an additional canister filter, but I don't think it's a priority.

Just remember that fine particle trapping media clogs quick. You will need to change it every 24 hours or so to maintain flow and remove the remaining particulates.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[Avatar]

No mostly

Just remember that fine particle trapping media clogs quick. You will need to change it every 24 hours or so to maintain flow and remove the remaining particulates.

Not in my experience. With pre-filtration I go months without cleaning/changing filter floss inside canisters. I'll assert that those particulates that do enter the filter get so "digested" by bacterial action that they eventually re-enter into the tank at a basic molecular level where they remain until and unless they are removed through water changes. I used to open up my Eheims pretty regularly, but as there was little to no maintenance/cleaning required, anymore I don't open them up unless there's a problem which there almost never is. As such, with 7 large ones running I'd guess it's six months since the last time I cracked one open.

 

[Andrewtfw]

The prefilter makes a world of difference. I assume that gets rinsed regularly. I was thinking about the fine pads for the fx5 (thats my experience) and how they state on the box to remove them after 24 hours.
I had a friend forget this and the flow all but stopped while he went out of town. He lost all of his fish as a result.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[tug]

Hi Jason,
Welcome to CCA.

The other problem is I recently added Java moss and it is quickly dying off.

You might try adding something like Seachem's Equilibrium for Fe and Mn as well as Ca/K/Mg/SO4.
Say, about 1.5 teaspoons every week or two.

Java moss prefer;
clean water, a pH of 5.8-8.0,
temperatures of 18-30 degrees Celsius
and low to medium light.

Diagram courtesy of VaughnH/Hoppy

Flo-ball up, check. :lol:

 

[Avatar]

Natch

The prefilter makes a world of difference. I assume that gets rinsed regularly.

Once every week or two - otherwise the flow shuts down. Same with HOB/power filters. ATI pond/pre-filters are good for the latter.

Never owned/used a Fluval, but if I did, well, cleaning a pre-filter is a lot easier than the alternative.

 

[Scorp1us]

Great info, thanks Tug!

 

[Hawkman2000]

I put Coralife 100 micron filter cloth in my filters. It makes my water crystal clear, and is reusable. I rinse it of (3 foot garden hose w/ nosle in laundry tube) every 2 or 3 weeks, and replace it every 6 months or so.