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Post by SkiTheBerks on Nov 10, 2005 22:14:01 GMT -5
I am currently using a 1 gallon tank w/filtration. Normally every two weeks I siphon 1/2 the water (vacuuming the bottom as I do), and change the filter cartridge. On the following two weeks I do a complete water change, rinse the stones, replace the filter cartridge.
Today was the 1/2 water change. As I lifted the filter out, I stirred up a lot of debris. I siphoned down to about 1 quart of water and added fresh treated spring water. There was still a lot of floating debris, sort of like a snow storm in the tank. I decided to dump it all out, rinse the stone, rinse the plant and add new water.
Please note that 2 weeks ago I cleaned the tank completely, including rinsing the live plant. I feed the fish blood worms and I only feed it as many as it can eat and remove any uneaten or spit out food.
How does the tank get so much debris in it & where does it come from?
If you look in the Gallery, you will see my current tank. The only difference is I have less stone, only about 1 layer deep.
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Post by teresa on Nov 11, 2005 1:56:16 GMT -5
I am currently using a 1 gallon tank w/filtration. Normally every two weeks I siphon 1/2 the water (vacuuming the bottom as I do), and change the filter cartridge. On the following two weeks I do a complete water change, rinse the stones, replace the filter cartridge. is it every week that you clean alternating full and half water changes or every 2 weeks for any change at all? Today was the 1/2 water change. As I lifted the filter out, I stirred up a lot of debris. I siphoned down to about 1 quart of water and added fresh treated spring water. There was still a lot of floating debris, sort of like a snow storm in the tank. I decided to dump it all out, rinse the stone, rinse the plant and add new water. Please note that 2 weeks ago I cleaned the tank completely, including rinsing the live plant. I feed the fish blood worms and I only feed it as many as it can eat and remove any uneaten or spit out food. so i can assume that cycling never happened...more water changes would be your best bet, and you probably don't need the filter at all if you do 2 water changes every week, 1 1/2 and 1 full How does the tank get so much debris in it & where does it come from? bettas poop just like anything else that eats hun  If you look in the Gallery, you will see my current tank. The only difference is I have less stone, only about 1 layer deep. It is a very nice tank by the way...and your betta looks like a nice red one  |
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Post by SkiTheBerks on Nov 11, 2005 7:36:29 GMT -5
Water changes were like this:
Day 1 - change all water, new cartridge, rinse rock & plant.
Day 14 - change 1/2 water & new filter
Day 28 - change all water, new cartridge, rinse rock & plant.
And then again on day 14 - change 1/2 water & new filter
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The water is clear until it gets disturbed, like lifting the filter. I think it is what is in the filter that gets dispersed back into the tank. That is why it seems like recently every 14 days I am doing a complete water change. There is no way I am puting my fish back in water where I see debris floating.
I do have a larger tank (Marineland Explorer) which I will be using soon. At least that "sucks" water out of the tank and cleans it and returns it to the tank.
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Post by abm on Nov 11, 2005 17:39:06 GMT -5
Hi,
Without belaboring the point, even a filtered tank needs at LEAST weekly changes if it's only 1 gallon in capacity. You're getting dirty water b/c your fish is living in a small volume of water that needs more frequent changes. All the filtration does is move the water around, and catch some of the larger sediment...the dangerous pollutants are the ones you can't see, that your filter can't remove.
If you step up your water changes I'm sure you'll see a huge improvement. If you have a larger tank I'd upgrade to it ASAP.
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