How often do i clean filter?

Nitrate is not harmless, it is less lethal in a short space
of time as Ammonia or Nitrates, but it is harmful.

I'd say siphone the gravel, then after completion, do your water
change (to remove any debris from the water).

If the nitrates aren't going down, test your treated water before
putting it in the tank, if ok, then do more frequent changes
until you get the levels down.
 >> Stay informed about: How often do i clean filter? 

On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 01:41:19 -0400, "Kodiak" <NOSPAM.RemoveThis@videotron.ca>
wrote:

Hi - I have 6 largish GF in 60 gallon tank, no gravel, Aquaclear 300
and Eheim wet and dry.

I change 30% water using siphon about every 5-6 days and clean out
Aquaclear 300 filter every time with water change, but not the Eheim
wet and dry. I usually clean Eheim wet and dry about once a month or
perhaps a bit longer. My nitrate reading is usually between 10 and
20.

Nona (another foodie and hapa)
 >> Stay informed about: How often do i clean filter? 

Wow, that is alot of filtration and cleaning for a 60 gallon,
then again you have 6 big fish. I've also been considering a big EHEIM
canister filter
to go with my Aquaclear 500 but they cost a fortune.

"Nona" <nospamu RemoveThis @dayo.com> wrote in message
news:97qfhvckep4cc6kr9bkalou56on429pmls@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 01:41:19 -0400, "Kodiak" <NOSPAM RemoveThis @videotron.ca>
> wrote:
>
> Hi - I have 6 largish GF in 60 gallon tank, no gravel, Aquaclear 300
> and Eheim wet and dry.
>
> I change 30% water using siphon about every 5-6 days and clean out
> Aquaclear 300 filter every time with water change, but not the Eheim
> wet and dry. I usually clean Eheim wet and dry about once a month or
> perhaps a bit longer. My nitrate reading is usually between 10 and
> 20.
>
> Nona (another foodie and hapa)
 >> Stay informed about: How often do i clean filter? 

On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 11:10:27 -0400, "Kodiak" <NOSPAM DeleteThis @videotron.ca>
wrote:

>Wow, that is alot of filtration and cleaning for a 60 gallon,
>then again you have 6 big fish. I've also been considering a big EHEIM
>canister filter
>to go with my Aquaclear 500 but they cost a fortune.
>
I've had a lot of problems with water quality in the past when I
started out with 30 gallon tank and Aquaclear 200. Switched to
Aquaclear 200 and Eheim wet and dry and still was not satisfied with
water quality issues. Then I moved up to 60 gallon and the problems
are solved.

I have two GF about 8", two about 6-7", one about 5" and the runt
(blind one) about 3-4". Before getting the siphon system, I used to
change water by buckets and that was awful. Now, it only takes me
about 10-15 minutes and it's a breeze to clean and fill. I only have
6 cloth type plants along with some big rocks and this setup makes it
very easy to maintain. However, I would like to provide them with
some live plants though.

If I had to do it over again, I would certainly get a bigger tank and
more filtration from the beginning.



Nona (another foodie and hapa)
 >> Stay informed about: How often do i clean filter? 

<<<Before getting the siphon system, I used to change water by buckets
and that was awful. Now, it only takes me about 10-15 minutes and it's a
breeze to clean and fill.>>>

Hi, can you explain the siphon system. Is this something that is sold at
LFS? Right now I have small tanks, and I change the water using the
bucket method.

But I'm planning to get a 75 gallon and I'd be very interested in
learning a better way to drain and fill the tank. Thanks.
 >> Stay informed about: How often do i clean filter?