Filter Question

Hi

I recently bought a tank starter kit which came with a Penn-Plax Cascade 170 internal filter. The tank isn't big, around 30 litres, but I want to know whether this filter is suitable for it? If anyone knows about this filter or has experience with it can you please let me know? It seems to be moving the water very well so far but all it has is a single block of sponge in it, and it claims to be a biological and mechanical filter. So, I am wondering what happens when I need to change the sponge, cause surely that will simply remove all the good bacteria from the filter?

 

Damian ... what are you going to be using the tank for? Plant + fish, just plants or just fish and if fish how many? Oh and what fish ...

 

Plant + Fish. Seeing as I am a novice I intend to simply use to house some guppies or maybe a few tetra. I haven't completely decided on what fish to get, I will read other threads and get some ideas. I supposed with small fish like that probably a max of about 6 or so considering the tank size?

 

Ok so get the basic right before you go out and buy more gear (the cascade should be fine till you get your feet wet - probably translates to a bigger thank.) ... BTW you are correct about the good bacteria but just rinse it lightly in so tank water - do not clean it in tap water.

By get the basics right I mean understand what it means to cycle the tank .. yes have plants makes this a bit for forgiving but please do not go and stock-up on more fish than the guppies and maybe teras (check that they are not fin nippers) ... with guppies you will soon have more than the initial 6 - so that is a cool way to start. Maybe 1 type of fish first?

Later Ferdie

 

Ok cool, I guess the best is to stick with it for now and see how it suits the tank once I have the fish in etc.

Thanks for the advice on the fish, I will start with guppies I think and see how it goes!

Thanks Damian

 

BTW - do not let the size of the tank stop the creative juices ... do a search for nano on this forum some of our members have awesome things that they do - and then add neon's to empathize things ... check them out before you decide -

 

cool thanks, I will do that!

 

Hi Damian,

If you go to the beginners section of the forum, I have written to articles there that will help you a lot. There is also other good stuff there on the nitrogen cycle.

From the sounds of things, you are however on the right track.

 

Hey Zoom, I have actually already been there and found your articles extremely helpful. Thanks for writing those it answered lots of my questions.

D

 

I have another question, my tank has got lots of tiny air bubbles that have formed. They are all over the filter, on the heater and on the little pot I have at the bottom. Is this a CO2 buildup? I have some plants in the tank so if this is the case will they help remove them? I am such a noob, sorry for these questions.

 

For up to 24 hours after you have filled your tank with tap water, excess air may appear in the form of bubbles that stick to everything inside the tank, because tap water is erated when it comes out of the tap. Nothing to worry about.

 

Hmmmm ok I see. The tank has been filled for longer than 24 hours already though, and it almost seems as if there are more bubbles forming than going away. I recently put an extra ornament in about 2 hours ago and that has now also got bubbles attaching to it. Any suggestions?

 

Don't worry about it, your water is just very aerated at the moment it will go away soon enough it wont harm the fish or the plants.

 

yeah I guess. Would it help if I turned the bubble flow from the filter and the air pump to a lower setting? The filter I have draws in air to work so it produces a stream of bubbles too.

 

Well do you have a air pump and a filter? If you planning on having plants in your tank it is recommended you not use the airstone because it removes the Carbon dioxide that the plants feed on out of the water

 

oh ok! Well I will leave the pump off overnight and just keep the filter running and see how it looks tomorrow. Thanks for the help

 

No problem just follow Zoom's FAQ that he posted and you should be fine.