crazie.eddie
10-29-2007, 03:33 PM
I had a big scare the other day. One of my filters stopped in my 125 (US) gallon tank. I run 2 filters in the tank, an Eheim 2128 and a FilStar XP3. I shutoff the Filstar the other day. I was planning to do some cleaning on it, but never got a chance to. I usually clean the filters every 2-4 months or so, which I judge by the filter flow rate.
Anyways, stupid me never really checked the flow rate of the Eheim filter, which was also very slow, almost none. I always check on my fishes every morning. Well, the next morning, I saw all the discus, angels, and harlequin rasboras swimming at the top, with the fineline SS floating upside down, but with the gills still moving. Strangely, the clown loaches and cories were fine. I also saw one of my L-260 plecos looking bloated.
I panicked and performed a quick water change and immediately cleaned out the Eheim. I cleaned out the FilStar XP3 as well, but for some reason it wouldn't start. I was in a hurry, since I was meeting up with Jim (Cosmo), so I setup my Marineland Emperor 480 to help with the water movement. The Eheim's flow was slower than normal, but at least functioning, so I left. The fineline SS was somewhat swimming upright, but still didn't look that great.
When I came home, the fineline SS was hiding behind one of the pieces of wood, but at least swimming. I realized the pre-filter sponge was very dirty, so I decided to clean them. Once I removed the sponge from the intake of the Eheim, the flow was increased. I should have realized the dirty pre-filter sponge slowed down the flow. I then decided to figure out why the FilStar wouldn't start, but after some finagling, I finally got it going. Later in the evening, the fineline SS was laying upright on the gravel. I also saw some spots, which appeared to be ich. I was saddened, thinking it wasn't going to make it overnight. I didn't want to remove her from the tank and isolate her, since I knew she was stressed enough, especially trying to pull through.
I decided to perform another WC, but decided instead of filling the tank, I just left it partially empty. I figured the waterfall effect from the Eheim 2128, FilStar XP3, and Emperor 400 should create allot of surface agitation to oxygenate the water.
The following morning, I was expecting either an outbreak of ich or even a dead discus. But to my joy, the fineline SS was doing great and NO signs of ich! She was a fighter and pulled through. Unfortunately, she's not back to normal as usual, because she doesn't eat from my hands. But she is eating. She was also the 2nd most dominant in the tank, with the BT as the most dominant. Unfortunately, she was still a little shy and not as boisterous. I think this also maybe due to an RT I sold from the tank. The RT was the 3rd dominant in the tank and she (fineline SS) would often push the RT around. Now without any other bullies, she is free to roam the tank as she pleases.
As for the L-260 pleco, it too pulled through. It usually hides in it's little cave. I was expecting to see a dead pleco as well. But this morning's feeding, I saw it swimming around looking for food and not even bloated.
I guess this teaches me a few lessons...
- If for some reason, I have to shut down a filter, make sure the other is functioning properly.
- Clean pre-filter sponges more often.
Anyways, stupid me never really checked the flow rate of the Eheim filter, which was also very slow, almost none. I always check on my fishes every morning. Well, the next morning, I saw all the discus, angels, and harlequin rasboras swimming at the top, with the fineline SS floating upside down, but with the gills still moving. Strangely, the clown loaches and cories were fine. I also saw one of my L-260 plecos looking bloated.
I panicked and performed a quick water change and immediately cleaned out the Eheim. I cleaned out the FilStar XP3 as well, but for some reason it wouldn't start. I was in a hurry, since I was meeting up with Jim (Cosmo), so I setup my Marineland Emperor 480 to help with the water movement. The Eheim's flow was slower than normal, but at least functioning, so I left. The fineline SS was somewhat swimming upright, but still didn't look that great.
When I came home, the fineline SS was hiding behind one of the pieces of wood, but at least swimming. I realized the pre-filter sponge was very dirty, so I decided to clean them. Once I removed the sponge from the intake of the Eheim, the flow was increased. I should have realized the dirty pre-filter sponge slowed down the flow. I then decided to figure out why the FilStar wouldn't start, but after some finagling, I finally got it going. Later in the evening, the fineline SS was laying upright on the gravel. I also saw some spots, which appeared to be ich. I was saddened, thinking it wasn't going to make it overnight. I didn't want to remove her from the tank and isolate her, since I knew she was stressed enough, especially trying to pull through.
I decided to perform another WC, but decided instead of filling the tank, I just left it partially empty. I figured the waterfall effect from the Eheim 2128, FilStar XP3, and Emperor 400 should create allot of surface agitation to oxygenate the water.
The following morning, I was expecting either an outbreak of ich or even a dead discus. But to my joy, the fineline SS was doing great and NO signs of ich! She was a fighter and pulled through. Unfortunately, she's not back to normal as usual, because she doesn't eat from my hands. But she is eating. She was also the 2nd most dominant in the tank, with the BT as the most dominant. Unfortunately, she was still a little shy and not as boisterous. I think this also maybe due to an RT I sold from the tank. The RT was the 3rd dominant in the tank and she (fineline SS) would often push the RT around. Now without any other bullies, she is free to roam the tank as she pleases.
As for the L-260 pleco, it too pulled through. It usually hides in it's little cave. I was expecting to see a dead pleco as well. But this morning's feeding, I saw it swimming around looking for food and not even bloated.
I guess this teaches me a few lessons...
- If for some reason, I have to shut down a filter, make sure the other is functioning properly.
- Clean pre-filter sponges more often.