Water Changes and filter maintenance

[SkwidsLair]

It seems many people have their own opinions with water changes. I'm trying to get a handle on tank maintenance, especially now that it seems to be clearing up nicely.

For those that don't know, I have a 75g tank. My current filter is an Eheim 2215. I have no live plants, and a small group of algae eating fish...such as four Oto Cats, a snail, a couple of 'sharks' and two pl*cos (clown and royal). I'm aware now of my pl*cos not being the best algae eaters. I have a Python for my changes, and there are three bubblers in my tank powered by a 90g rated dual output airpump.

I don't 'think' my tank is overstocked currently, but I know it eventually will be as they grow. I do have a 60g coming to alleviate this.

Anyways...I've been told by members here that my pl*cos need driftwood and that they will make quite a mess once they start eating it.

What I'm trying to find is the right schedule for maintenance. This is what I've decided to try:

Monday - 20-25% change, including gravel cleaning
Thursday - 20-25% change, no gravel cleaning, rinse out filter pads
Saturday - If needed, another 20-25% water change (same as Thursday but without rinsing the pads)

What I'm wondering is if I need to do this with the filter once a week as noted. I'm also unclear on how much of the insides I'm rinsing out. Do I rinse out the bagged media as well? I was told by my LFS that I wouldn't have to get any new media or buy anything for the 2215 for at least a year. Is this true? I mean, just how often SHOULD I be replacing stuff within my filter?

Now, there IS a second part to this...

I have bought a second 2215 for the tank...and a low gph powerhead for current. When I hook these up, will this affect how often I do water changes? Will it be enough to keep to my schedule, and still keep up with the pl*cos?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

your schedule sounds great, but when you rinse the filter media rinse it out in dechlorinated water so that you dont kill the beneficial bacteria. also i wouldnt rinse the filter media for about 2 months after the initial setup, to make sure the bacteria colony is established well.

 

[SkwidsLair]

So, would filling up my bucket with water and letting it sit a couple days beforehand be enough to dechlorinate the water for rinsing?

 

[TheMainer]

Yes, that would work, but what a lot of people do is just use water from the existing tank to rinse their filter media in.

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

that wont work for him, hes got a python, it will all be rinsed dowm the drain. do you use dechlorinator? if so, you can just put water in a bucket, and put the dechlor in and then rinse the media.

 

[SkwidsLair]

Yes, that would work, but what a lot of people do is just use water from the existing tank to rinse their filter media in.

So, just sort of empty some of the tank water that I'm changing into a bucket and use that? Shouldn't need much...maybe a half gallon or so?

 

[SkwidsLair]

that wont work for him, hes got a python, it will all be rinsed dowm the drain. do you use dechlorinator? if so, you can just put water in a bucket, and put the dechlor in and then rinse the media.

How fast do water conditioners work?

 

[YahooFishKeeper]

just regular dechlor works instantly.

 

[SkwidsLair]

just regular dechlor works instantly.

Great, thank you.

I finally have my tank under control, and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[Pure]

As your plecs are still pretty small and not the fasting growing fish you have some time before the mess the royal makes is going to be an issue.

 

[VirgoWolf]

I think you will be just fine for a while, I'm not an expert, but that sounds like a good schedual to me, I wish I was as organised, my method needs to change now, I need some order with 9 tanks to care for LOL. Usually I do water changes when the water level gets low because it evaproates unordinarily fast here, which ends up being about once a week, depending on the tank, and of course the puffers get special attention because they're slobs. LOL

I don't like rinsing media too much, but this is why I like to have at least 2 forms of biological media so I can rinse one without worrying about creating a minicycle if I rinse too well. I only replace biological media if it starts slowing down flow or looking like it's had enough.

 

[charleyevette]

I only replace biological media if it starts slowing down flow or looking like it's had enough.

What exactally do you look for when you're seeing if it's had enough. I have 2 filter materials also, and I was wondering exactally when I need to replace each. Your idea is great about only replacing one at a time! I never thought about that! *thumbsup2

 

[VirgoWolf]

Just when it doesn't clean up good or is damaged.

Yep, only 1 at a time makes me feel better.

 

[SkwidsLair]

Good news about the Pl*cos, then. I'm hoping to get a lot of enjoyment out of them before I feel the need to give them up.

Hopefully, by that time, I'll have enough experience and the environment that I won't have to.