Hey guys,

Short time aquarium hobbyist, big time aquarium enthusiast.

I need advice on how to keep my tanking looking crystal clear. Now if it's possible, I'd like to stay away from using chemical filtration (carbon filters are expensive), but not against using it.

I've been doing a lot of reading on every type of filter from UGFs to HoBs to Sponges to Canisters. And from what I've been reading the best kind of filtration (obviously subject to opinion) is a combination of Sponges (excellent bio filtration w/ 'ok' mechanical) with HoB or Canister(Good mechanical filtration).

Here is a run down on what my tank is and tank is in it.

Tank is 36" x 12" w/ bowed front. It's a 46gal w/o anything in it. So w/ gravel and decor it would be around 40gal.

As for tank inhabitants, I have 5 Jack Dempsey's, 4 Jewel Cichlids, 1 5inch Pleco, and 3 algae eaters. Now, I have been doing a lot of reading about how many fish is the appropriate amount for a given tank. The two main ways to calculate a reasonable amount of fish for a given tank from what I've seen... is total fish size per gal AND/OR total fish size per sq. inch of surface water. After reading this and doing the math, I honestly have to say that I believe i'm over-populating my tank. (I have a 30gal I'm prep'ing for the Jewels)

And for filtration. I'm currently using a UGF w/ a power HoB filter siphoning water through the UGF as well. The HoB is rated to siphon 200gph. I'm assuming w/ air-stones this simply isn't enough circulation so I've already purchased Powerheads. (Waiting for them to arrive)

My main desire is this. Because I'm using an UGF, is there any way to produce crystal clear water w/o adding those silly carbon cartridges to the ends of the lift tubes OR having to constantly buy carbon filters for the HoB power filter. (remember, I'd like to stay away from chemical filtration, but not against using it)

Having only been using an UGF for two months now, I can say that I'm very disappointed with it. Since I have no way of siphoning that mulm that builds up underneath the UGF I've been encountering a massive Nitrate colony. This maybe why I've been having such a hard time keeping my water clear.

Because I'm so disappointed with it, I am at a point where I'm just going to go with sponge filtration plus a HoB filter. But I'd like advise on if it's possible to keep the water crystal clear w/o chemical filtration.

If there is any questions that arise, this post is on instant e-mail notify. I should be able to reply quickly via cell phone.

Help is Appreciated!

First off,welcome to the forum!

Second the inch of fish per gallon rule is flawed.You have many other things to consider,activity,adult size,territoriality,if they need a school and so on.So yes you are indeed overstocked.

Do you have a test kit?I am curious as to what your ammonia reads as well as the nitrite.

As for clearing the water,You can do waterchanges or use carbon.Giving that you dont really want to do the carbon then up your waterchanges.How much and how often is this done?

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"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Also, if you are not wanting to use carbon due to the cost of it then consider buying a mesh bag and buy the carbon in the large milk container style packaging. That is how I do it and it definitely helps keep costs down.

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75 Gallon Planted

Thank you!

For your first comment, Thank you for confirming that I am indeed overstocked. I really thought that the fish per gal was flawed. I took fish per sq. inch of surface water more into account when doing the math.

Currently I'm using the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. My tests suggest that the UGF is doing it's job well with using the gravel as the bio filter. However, once the ammonia and nitrite is converted to Nitrate, I have no way of removing the Nitrate except through Water Changes. If you'd like to know specifics the ammonia is always between 0 - 5 ppm, while Nitrite is always 0.

As for water changes, the last change I did was 2 - 60% changes, which lowered the Nitrate to 10ppm from 70-80ppm. Five days later, it's back up to 60ppm. I know I'm over-populating the tank, but is it really that common for the Nitrate to jump back up that quickly?

Thanks for the quick response.

/Type Do you simply put the full mesh bag of carbon directly into the tank or is there another way you get water to pass through the carbon? Also, how much is a good amount of carbon to last between water changes? I'm getting to a point water a 7 day water change is a MUST in order to keep levels under control. Especially Nitrate.

First off, carbon is useless after 2 weeks and would need to be replaced.

You have fish in there that are major waste producers, which is producing ammonia and it really is produceing nitrites you may just not be seeing it. That turns into nitrates and that is why its so high. With the fish that you have in that tank, I would suggest 3 large water changes a week of at least 50%. The pleco and the algae eaters would cause this alone.
What kind of pleco is it? If its a common that thing will get to at least 24 inches. To house these fish properly I would say you need a 100 gal tank. Oh and by the way the 30 is too small to house any of these fish. You should always consider full grown size when choosing fish.

I would dump the UG and either opt for another HOB or get a canister. UG's as you are finding out is one of the causes of your nitrates as you aren't getting all the crap out of it. Once all these matters are taken care of you will find it a lot easier and the tank will stay a lot clearer.

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220 Tank build
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Hi Susan, Thanks for the reply.

I noticed the carbon losing it's strength after that amount of time while I was using the Power filter just by itself. That's why I'm staying away from carbon is because of how frequently you need to change it.

The Pleco I picked at Petsmart. They didn't specify what kind he was, so I have no idea.

I would agree with you that I need a bigger tank, but without spending a lot of money to get a 100gal tank, I find that my next best move is to move the Jewel's into the 30gal.

As for the UGF, I'm glad to see that you have reiterated my thought process about them.

Now you recommend that I get another HoB or even a canister. Are you implying that I need more mechanical filtration? or just another filter to handle a large bio load?

Thanks again.

I would use 2 filters with the bioload, it will help a lot. Only way to get by with one would be to use a good size canister filter.

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SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

As far as the carbon goes I only change it out when I notice the water getting that nasty brown or greenish color to it. I know that it is only good for about 2-3 weeks at best, but when you need it to clear up all the discolored water it does a great job. I have a 75 gallon tank and I can stuff about 2 1/2 cups worth of carbon into my AC 110. The last time I changed out the carbon in my filter was on October 22. Before that I think it was the end of March. I probably should have done it a lot sooner than I did, but I never remembered to buy more while at the LFS. It is not necessary, but if all else fails carbon usually works.

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75 Gallon Planted

One thing you got to remember with carbon, once its full and after a time will start releasing crap back into the tank.

Carbon can be recharged by cleaning it good and then baking in the oven for about 3 hours.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Recharged? Really? Tell me more... how do you clean it? What temp do you bake it at?

Cleaning it takes a while as you use bleach in the process, then you have to soak in dechlorinator, then bake at about 500 degrees.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

wow just wow. if i new this i could of saved a hundred dollars these past 6 months. well i guess thats the price i pay for overstocking a 55 gallon tank with over 30 cichlids.(Dont worry im at a respectable amount now, lol).