Aqua Clear

Question
Hi. I have 2 Aqua Clears for my 29 gallon tank. I have one Oranda and my tank has been cycling for 13 days. I have 2 sponges and one carbon in the chamber is that ok or should I add or remove anything? My ammonis never really goes over .25 and I have 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates. Thanks Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

I also have two AquaClears running on a 29 gallon tropical community tank. I recommend using two sponges and one bag of carbon in one, and two sponges and one bag of Biomax in the other. If you can't fit two sponges in your filters, just use one. The carbon is all that will need replacing, the other media can be rinsed in aquarium water (or dechlorinated tap water) when it gets dirty and be reused.

If your ammonia is at .25 ppm and you haven't seen nitrite or nitrates yet, your tank is still in the very beginning stages of cycling. Ammonia is toxic to fish and water changes are recommended to offset the ammonia, daily ones if you can. This is why it's easier to fishless cycle - go to Google.com to learn more about it. Bacteria products can help, but the cheap shelf-stable ones (Cycle, Stress Zyme, etc.) don't do the job of the more expensive ones like Tetra Start Right and Dr. Tim's One and Only. I am not sure if those two products are available in Canada, because they contain live beneficial bacteria.

One thing that will help is to add floating plants. Amazon frogbit, hornwort, Indian fern aka water sprite - are all recommended and do not need special lighting. They will absorb nitrate, help with balancing your tank (especially if they are in an established tank at the pet store or fish store) and provide shade which your oranda will appreciate. (It might nibble at water sprite, however!)

Here are some websites about goldfish care that I've found very helpful:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/goldfish101art.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshmalnut.htm
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/food.html

I hope that helps, take care.
Nicole