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	Cycling question
BabyBlueEyes Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 110 Votes: 1 Registered: 10-Sep-2004	i just got my 20 gal tank 1 month ago but i set it up about 7 weeks ago and the water has been cycling for about 5 and a half weeks now. i dont got any test kits to check the water quality. i need to change my filter cartridge because its time to change it and was wondering if it was ok for me to change it since the water has been cycling for 5 and a half weeks. please let me know what i should do. Chow, babyblueeyes
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	The first thing you should do is buy a test kit, they're very helpful during cycling. Also, are you cycling with fish or without? There's a big difference between the two. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
Tom Mega Fish Posts: 1211 Kudos: 300 Registered: 26-Feb-2003	Changing those filter cartridges is a no-no, The tank will take much longer to cycle if you do this. Just get a jug of water out of the tank, remove the filter and squeeze all of the sponges from the filter in the jug to get all of the gunk out. It's important to use tank water and not tap water. Some informaion provided by companies in their booklets are printed to get you to keep buying from them. Filter medium needs only to be changed when it is pretty much falling apart (apart from carbon and zeolite which need it approx 4 weeks). I hope that has helped you.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
BabyBlueEyes Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 110 Votes: 1 Registered: 10-Sep-2004	yes i do have fish in the tank i got 10 of them and the cartridge is a bit dirty. so i should take the cartridge out and wash it in tank water? Last edited by BabyBlueEyes at 26-Sep-2004 14:55
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
Janna Mega Fish Posts: 1386 Registered: 24-Aug-2003	10 of them? What kind of fish are they? It sounds like you got them all at the same time, and 10 of any fish is too much for a recently set up 20 gallon. I wouldn't rinse off your filter cartridge for a little while, since you might still be cycling. When you do, however, you should rinse it gently in some tank water. They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes, They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver, So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
BabyBlueEyes Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 110 Votes: 1 Registered: 10-Sep-2004	ok i will buy a test kit as soon as possible and test the water if its done cycling i will change the cartridge. and yes im at my limit for stocking on fish im not buying anymore. OH i forgot i lost a fishy lastnight so now i have 9. the yellow swordtail that died had white fuzzy patches on its body so i took it out of the tank and treated it with melafix but it died that same night and i put some melafix in the 20gal tank so hopefully it dosent spread i checked the other fishies and everyone of them look fine.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53
tankster Fingerling Posts: 44 Kudos: 43 Votes: 4 Registered: 23-Aug-2004	yes, 20 fish is quite a lot for a 20 gallon tank, and that might explain the death, and the disease, but it sounds like you may have caught it before it spread. I lost a cory to the same thing when I introduced 8 fish to a 20 gallon, so I'd keep my eye out that the rest of the fish don't die the same way, melafix or not.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:53


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