changing filter

[waynefort]

I planning to change my filter next month but there are the issue, did any change to the filtration media would influence a tank stability, i currently use ocean ultra slim hang on filter as filtration and seachem matrix as filter media, but nitrate level are really undesirable in my tank, my local highly recommend to change the filter like fluval C3 hang on filter and canister filter as their has more hiigher capacity and space for media filter than my current filter, so did change the filter and media would affect the filtration, how about using a original biofilter media into new filter?

Current equiment : 40 cm x 30 cm 20 gallon dolphin tank, ocean free ultra slim hang on filter,mini skimmer, mini cooling fan, mini wave maker, nano LED light

Tank resident: 2 ocellaris clownfish, 1 yellow tail damsel, 1 turbo snail, 1 purple linkia starfish, 4.5 kg live rock

 

[xtrattitude4u]

Getting a new filter will not remove nitrates, that is done through water changes.

How old is the tank?
What are the parameters ammonia, nitrites, nitrates?


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[waynefort]

My tank is almost 5 month and i got zero reading in ammonia and nitrite (using sera test kit), however nitrate is really high up to 80 ppm , i using a tap water and dechlorinated it with seachem prime for weekly water change and i only feed half pinch of pellet one once a day, now, i using the API nitrate test kit but their reading not change much, i don't know if my nitrate test kit is inaccurated or something

 

[xtrattitude4u]

The tap water is the problem. If you test the water before it goes in the tank, you will probably find it already has nitrates in it.

No filter or any product will fix that.

That is one of many reasons tap water is bad for saltwater tanks.

You will likely have issues until you start getting Reverse osmosis water from the fish store or making your own.

I make my own RO/DI water and it's cheap to make once setup. Save the $ from the tank filter and get yourself a 3 stage RO/DI filter if you can.

Also keep in mind that canister filters can easily cause nitrate problems if not cleaned regularly. I run my tank with only live rock and skimmer and all big 3 parameters are 0.



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[Lsufan]

The only reason to use a hang on filter is if u want it to use as a place to put media like the matrix. U don't want any type of sponge unles u clean it every couple days. U don't say how much liverock u have but the rock is the only biological filtration u need as long as u have a suitable amount. U don't need any mechanical filtration like sponges & they usually do more harm then good unless cleaned every day or two.

From the information u posted the filter & using tap water will both cause issues.

 

[waynefort]

Hello, thank you for your replies, i have 4.5 kg of liverock and coral sand in my tank, i always use seachem prime before make water change as they say would dechlorinate and detoxicated nitrate, but this is good to dosing these product? some LFS recommend me to dosing seachem prime product to detoxified nitrate when nitrate level is high without performing a weekly water change but other LFS claim that is false do not do this as this could stress the fish and invert in tank. I don't is true option, For your opinion, should i dosing it with nitrate detoxifier and bacteria based nitrate product or stick to weekly 40% water change to keep a nitrate down? Which is better?

 

[xtrattitude4u]

Neither.
You must stop using tap water.
No product will make tap water safe for the tank.

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