Hi all. It`s nice to be here. I have a 30 gallon tank, two goldies and a 30-60 Regent EZ-change filter with disposable cartridge. You know the one with the intake tube in the middle and a place for the filter cartridge on each side. Well my question is that I read allot of stuff about cartridges and the ones to use. My tank is almost a month old and not fully cycled yet.
PH 7.8
Amonia 0
Nitrites 1.6
Nitrates 50
How come nitrites and nitrates are high at the same time??????? I do a weekly water change and have added 1 tspn salt for each gallon of watter. I feel it wise to tell you I had 4 goldies last week and two passed on (not at the same time). Maybe the tank was overstocked since I hear that there should only be 2-3 goldies max in a 30 gallon. Is the Regent ez-change filter cartridge sufficient for this tank??? I know it`s strong enough but do I really need one that you put the sponge in and then a bag of carbon???? I can`t afford a new filter at the moment. All this already cost me an arm and a leg. lol
If I need to modify this, could you tell me how the sponge goes in and then the carbon??? You know the Aqua Clear 100, 200, 300 types??? Is this necessary or is the one I have sufficient. I realize that the carbon can`t be removed from the material medium when changing. Someone told me I could cut off a piece of the material (blue backing) so that I keep the bacteria in tact. Is that necessary as well? Or should there be enough bacteria in the tank at the end of the month for it to work on its own. Any comments and suggestions, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your kind replies.
PH 7.8
Amonia 0
Nitrites 1.6
Nitrates 50
How come nitrites and nitrates are high at the same time??????? I do a weekly water change and have added 1 tspn salt for each gallon of watter. I feel it wise to tell you I had 4 goldies last week and two passed on (not at the same time). Maybe the tank was overstocked since I hear that there should only be 2-3 goldies max in a 30 gallon. Is the Regent ez-change filter cartridge sufficient for this tank??? I know it`s strong enough but do I really need one that you put the sponge in and then a bag of carbon???? I can`t afford a new filter at the moment. All this already cost me an arm and a leg. lol
If I need to modify this, could you tell me how the sponge goes in and then the carbon??? You know the Aqua Clear 100, 200, 300 types??? Is this necessary or is the one I have sufficient. I realize that the carbon can`t be removed from the material medium when changing. Someone told me I could cut off a piece of the material (blue backing) so that I keep the bacteria in tact. Is that necessary as well? Or should there be enough bacteria in the tank at the end of the month for it to work on its own. Any comments and suggestions, links, etc. would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your kind replies.
