FishProfiles.com Message Forums

does my filter need to run for 24 hours
so far my fish look good they are still actief en hungry i did my watertest and de latest reading looks like this ( not good i think )

temp 78
ph 7.6
ammonia 1.00
nitrite 0
nitrate 0

Hi,
The short answer, IMO, is yes. Your filter must run 24 hours a day to maintain healthy bacteria in there and to ensure that the water is clean.
How long has this tank been running? Looks to me like it has not long been started and is just begining its cycle. What fish are in there?

DASHMAN

Its better to be hated for who you are...
Than loved for who you are not

hi, i have a 28 gallon that's bin running for 13 days now
i have 3 tiger barbs and 1 red tail black shark i am new to this all so i made some big mistakes

Kaboke

You should have your filter on 24 hours. Turning it off frequently will allow the bacteria buildup to die (and thats not good). The whole reason for cycling a tank is to build up bacteria.

Is it a type of filter that hangs on the tank? Are you worried they aren't getting enough food? Usually fish act hungry all the time. I can feed mine and an hour later they look hungry again...don't worry! If the flow from the filter is too strong, maybe yours is adjustable. My hang on back (HOB) filters have an adjustable flow.

Your tank is in the beginning of the cycle. I would check for ammonia and nitrItes every day. If they get about 2ppm (either one), then do a small water change.

Have you read about the Nitrogen cycle? If not, here are a couple articles, so you'll know what is happening in your tank:

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_ciclo.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cycling.php

*Kristin*

my filter is running 24 hours up til now it is a hang on back filter thanks for the advice it seems that i am doing atleast one thing right

i am doing my watertest every day with no exeption

thanks again

The reason for running a filter 24/7 is that the good bacteria must be kept alive. If it is turned off the bacteria will die quickly in the filter and you will finish up having a mini cycle.
That is the reason when washing filter materials it must be washed in the tank water you have just taken out to do a water change.
I always add a measured amount of Sera Bio Starter at every water change this keeps the good bacteria in a very healthy condition.
By now you have just thought but what about cleaning the filter. I personally will get it done as quickly as posible under 30 minutes.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW