OK I bought an AquaClear

[etr63]

Hi All

I Have a 55 gal with 8 young discus. I had 1 hydrosponge 5 and a canister filter running. 3 days ago I cleaned the canister filter and 2 days ago I added another hydrosponge 5. I dont like the canister so I bought a AquaClear 300 today. Is it ok to add another new filter to the tank? I noticed a slight nitrIte rise since I added the second hydro. Will another new filter cause even more of a nitrIte spike as it starts to cycle? Man I wish I could get biospira.

Earl

[pcgamer02]

Adding new filters doesnt cause a nitrite/nitrate/amonia spike. UNLESS you remove the old filters, which would also remove the good bacteria.

[Carol_Roberts]

What type of media is in the canister filter? Put it in beneath the sponge in the Aqua clear. It will help the AC sponge grow bacteria faster

[etr63]

I put the AC filter fon the tank today. Should I use one sponge or two. ( my idea of two is to rince only one at a time to keep bacteria strong ) I also want to place coral in filter to help stabalize PH, do I put the bag on top of the sponge or underneath?

Earl

[RyanH]

I would actually go out and buy a refill kit and use a total of three sponges.

[etr63]

Hey Ryan

I allready bougth two boxes of sponges When I got the filter ( being the pack rat that I am ). If I put in the extra 2 sponges where do I place the crushed coral?

Earl

[RyanH]

If your water is not terribly soft you shouldn't need to use the coral to buffer your pH. Just age it overnight before you use it.

[etr63]

Hey Ryan

I have a KH of 2 dgh and GH of 7 dgh. After ageing for 24 hrs the PH is 7.0 ( 8.6 out of the tap ) but dorps in the tank to 6.4 over the day. I am hopeing that the coral will help. I just hope that it dont raise the PH in the tank to fast. I would like to keep it at 7.

Earl

[RyanH]

That is pretty soft. If it raises the pH a bit it shouldn't affect your fish too much. It's when the pH drops that your fish get cranky.