The Puffer Forum

Hi,

I am setting up a tank i just got. Its a Clear Seal 30x12x12. For the 1st week i have been using a Interpet PF Mini Internal Power Filter to get thing going. I have ordered a Fluval 3 Plus which turned up today as recommended by a few shops for the size of tank.

Its massive!!! It will not fit in the tank! Its too tall and even if it did it would take up a load of room.

Anyone know if what i have is suitable (the interpet mini) or do i need to buy something midrange?

The stock in the tank will be two figure 8 puffers.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks,

Neil

The fluval will probably fit lying down horizontally along the back wall. You could then add some plants around it to hid it.

What about an Aquaclear HOB?

I'd get a HOB filter instead. I dislike internals for most occasions.

Cheers for the reply guys.

Looks like i need to get another type then. I was looking at getting my figure 8's this weekend. Do you think the filter i am using at the moment will be ok for a little bit until i can get a new filter?

Before you add your puffs make sure your tank is fully cycled. New tank syndrome is especially hard on puffs !

I have been squishing out my other filter into this new tank a few times to get some good bacteria started. I also used some Stress Zyme too.

I used a test kit (dry strips) and it would seem things are good; although its only been running just over a week. I will ask the LFS to do a water test for me too before i make the purchase.

I spoke my LFS and although i didn’t buy the large filter there they have said they will exchange it for the next size down.
..

neilw_uk wrote:I have been squishing out my other filter into this new tank a few times to get some good bacteria started. I also used some Stress Zyme too.

hmmm, ots good that your using filter squeezings, but stress zyme doesnt actually work, its just dead bacteria. only bio-spira contains living bacteria.

most likely whats happening in your tank right now, is the ammonia from the dead bacteria is being eaten by the bacteria from your filter squeezings.

you should read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrIte, and you should read detectable nitrAtes, as that signifies a complete cycle. whether or not the bio-load of the stress zyme and the puffs will be the same depends. if not, the tank will have to re-cycle.

IMO, and IME, I would keep feeding the tank ammonia for 3 weeks, to build up a large bio-load capabilitie, then add the puffs. please read the excelent article in our library about fishless cycling.

Squeezing out your filter will transfer some bacteria over, but if they are not fed, they will die. I would hold off putting any fish into the tank until you've actually seen the tank cycle.

See this article on how to do a fishless cycle: http://www.thepufferforum.com/articles/ ... hless.html

Basically you need to be adding some ammonia to the tank, either household pure ammonia, or some fishfood. You should have a good ammonia and nitrite test kit so you can track the cycle for yourself.

You should see:

first couple days...
ammonia: very high
nitrite: 0

couple days later...
ammonia: 0
nitrite: very high

couple days later...
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0

at that point, the cycle has completed and you can do a large water change and introduce fish. If done properly with seeded filter media like you have, it should take about a week.

If you do not do this, the tank will cycle with teh fish in it, leading to a lot of potential problems and fish death.

Is there anything in the tank at the moment?
or are you just putting squeezings in an empty tank?
bacteria needs something to feed on or it will die off
It will take 4-6 weeks to cycle a tank (if you use fish) and 10 days- 4weeks if you use the fish-less cycling method. Or instantly if you can get some biospira (mail order).
Your test may show no bad elements now, (or low ones) as the cycling process has not started yet (tanks only been up for a week)
and if there is nothing in there producing waste..it wont cycle.

As for the filter, I agree get a HOB (hang on the Back) unit like an aqua-clear (not sure what the UK equivalent is)

ROFL!!!!!!! look at the post times of the last 3 messages! all three of them are a minute apart of each opther, and all say close to the same message!!!


ROFL

Well it would be more embarrassing if they all said something different. At least we're all on teh same page.

Points noted.

I think i will add some flake to the tank and let it break down for a few days and re-test.

Thanks,


Neil

I have a Fluval 3+ in a 30 gal tank along with an Eheim cannister and don't think much of the Fluval for filtering - but it does produce a nice current.

Agree with the AquaClear HOB recommendations - nice filters.

Wait a minute... Is that... Was that... Yes, I believe that last post was made by ChesapeakeSwellfish!!!!

Hey guy, welcome back! Where ya' been lately?