Newb filter Question

[LukeHawk]

Okay, I'm changing from an under-gravel filter to an internal wall filter thing.

Its a dolphin F1200.

Is it big enough for mu tank, which is about 90cmx45cm base and 60cm height?

and how do I use it? Do I submerge the whole thing, including part of the wire so the water jet is underwater, or do I leave that part above water?..then its all splashy though.

please help!

 

[d3sc3n7]

Ok, from what I'm reading, that filter does go completely under water. It should say on the box?!

By my calculations you have a 53UK gallon, 64US gallon tank. So, yes, that filter should do just fine.

 

[LukeHawk]

lol, the filter is from my step uncles old tank, he gave it to me without the box.

kwl, thanks

 

[d3sc3n7]

Oh gotcha! I was wondering! Ok, cool...from all the info I found, it goes fully under the surface of the water.

 

[LukeHawk]

lol, thanks! it doesnt make bubbles though..should it?

 

[d3sc3n7]

Unless there is an airline coming up out of the tank, it wont make bubbles because it has no air source. It should just make movement in the water.

 

[LukeHawk]

yup, thats kwl, exactly what it does.

I'm uploading pics as we speak btw

 

[marvin]

yup, thats kwl, exactly what it does.

I'm uploading pics as we speak btw

it would help to know more about your set up

 

[simplyfish]

Sorry to hijack this.

Quick filter question - I rinse my filter sponge when I do a water change and remove a lot of the gunk from it. I rinse it in the water from the tank so not killing it completely but I have just been wondering if I should leave the sponge alone a bit more as this 'Gunk' is all the bacterias etc I want.

Has anyone any advice on this, my levels are generally fine, though Ammonia does tend to be a little high sometimes. My Tank was never cycled properly as I wasn't aware of this before I bought it, but has been running for about two months now and my fish seem quite happy in there.

 

[TabMorte]

A lot of the 'gunk' is good bacteria.

I ohnly rince my filter once a month personally or if I notice that the water quality has dipped.

 

[simplyfish]

Thanks for that, on a similar line, the gravel picks up plenty of detritus - poop food scraps, bits of plant etc, would it be a good idea to mix this up to release it in to the water so it could be filtered out, should it just be left, or should i hoover it up?

 

[LukeHawk]

lol, thread hijacker! (nah I'm kidding, good question, it helped me too)

well when I do a water change I have this gravel cleaner tool that gets rid of a lot of the gunk on/in the gravel. get one, they are cheap and helpful. its really just a larger cylinder attached to a pipe. It works wonders