Wanted under gravel cleaner

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Neezo, Nov 28, 2018.

  1. Neezo

    Neezo

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    Hi, I am looking for a cleaner for size
    90×50×50 due to the high bio load. Thank you
     
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  3. Adrian Gatter

    Adrian Gatter

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    Under gravel cleaner or under gravel filter?
     
  4. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    @Neezo,

    Your question is a bit confusing...

    What are you actually looking for? or wanting to achieve?
    Tell us a bit more
     
  5. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    I am looking for an under gravel filter, due to the high nitrate levels, I have to clean my gravel every 2nd day
     
  6. Adrian Gatter

    Adrian Gatter

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    Under gravel filters aren't used much anymore. They not designed to actually clean the substrate, what they do is slowly pull the water through the substrate. So essentially what's happening is the substrate becomes the filter media. One trick you can do with them which is cool is you can reverse the flow, ie: get an internal filter to blow water into the UGF and that causes the UGF to push water up through the substrate. This pushes all the crap into the water column so the internal filter can suck it up.

    What substrate do you have and how fine is it? I find its easier to keep a courser gravel clean than a fine gravel.
    Also what livestock do you have in there?

    If you want UGFs you can find them cheap at the LFS cos no one buys them anymore. Look on the bottom shelf at the back somewhere. You won't find one to fit your tank but you could get multiple smaller ones.

    PS: High nitrate levels is another issue altogether....
     
  7. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    Understood, cleaned gravel, changed water 4 times in 1 week and they are still dying slowly, checked nitrate was high yesterday so I changed 50% water and still same story, I have goldfish, I have someone coming today ,will keep you posted. Thanks
     
  8. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    What causes high nitrate levels?
     
  9. Adrian Gatter

    Adrian Gatter

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    Eish, sorry man! Sounds like your tank isn't cycled. What filtration you using and how long has the tank been running? It takes time for the filter media to develop a bacteria colony to eat the nitrates, nitrites & ammonia.
    Nitrates are caused by decomposing waste. That's fish crap and uneaten food.

    download.jpg
     
  10. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    I am running a Canister full with ceramic rings and an internal 4 stage filter, the Canister is fairly new
     
  11. Adrian Gatter

    Adrian Gatter

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    I just read your other thread, looks like you got some good advice there.
     
  12. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    No problems before the canister, tank has been running 6 months now but that was with only 4 stage
     
  13. Adrian Gatter

    Adrian Gatter

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    The high nitrate will help your filter cycle but kill the fish. Chances are the damage is already done, if they do survive their life will be shortened.
     
  14. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    Not good, my 8 year old son is not happy, I guess the damage is done.
     
  15. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    If it was me, I would continue with the canister.
    Rinse it out in tank water (not tap water) every few months to get rid of the muck that accumulates in there.
    And also, hoover the substrate every time you do a water change. Should be at least once a week.
    This will help reduce Nitrates.
     
  16. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    Cool, will do so
     
  17. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    Update : Water is 100 now, no nitrate, fish have swim bladder disease ,is there a way to treat them?
     
  18. HvNDhF

    HvNDhF

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    @Neezo

    How did you manage to get the Nitrate to 0 so quickly?
     
  19. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    50% Daily water change for about 3 days
     
  20. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Unfortunately @Neezo it all goes back to all the advice given on the other threads you started but Im not sure if you have accepted the advice or not

    Your tank was fine for 4 months but: the fish have grown in those 4 months and the tank has not grown with the fish

    90X50X50 can not house , ( I think you said) 12 goldfish!!!! Not enough space or water volume

    Filters are magic things but can only do so much at some stage the wheels fall off because there is not enough water volume

    Let me explain
    I have 4 stingrays and an aro in a 2.6M x 1m x 900 tank with a 2m sump and huge internal filters
    All good

    Tomorrow I decide 12 rays is nice so I go ahead and do it.... they will probably all die in a few days..
    Too much fish.. too little space and too little water even though the filtration is massive.... it wont work

    Until you accept this, things wont get better because unfortunately trying to patch things always ends in disaster and some things cant even be patched
    You have to first and foremost accept the principles of fishkeeping and what is and is not possible
    Then things will come right
    Please don't be offended but Im not sure how else to explain after all the advice everyone has given and explained over a number of threads

    Swim bladder disease... poor water quality is probably the biggest or one of the biggest causes
     
  21. OP
    Neezo

    Neezo

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    Hi Maria, no problem ,we learn every day, I take all the advice I get . Thank you
     
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