He's Not Nemo, but we still want him alive

June 19, 2009 10:52 AM

How do I set up this filtration system? It's an Aqua expert 600 filtration system for a 2.5 gallon mini-bow aquarium.

Our office inherited Grover, a beta fish that came with a tank and a water filtration system. Whoever had it before said the tank stayed pretty clean, but since it came with no instructions, we're not sure if the filtration system is set up right now. Because after changing the water, the tank looks dirty again after 2 or 3 days.

I've taken the tubing apart, but I'm not sure if it's put back together correctly.

Help us keep Grover alive!

posted by HeyAllie to Pets & Animals (2 answers total)

Can you disassemble the filter components and take pictures of that and the hood (the thing that covers the tank)? Google isn't very forthcoming on pictures of the aquarium setup. Also, could you describe what you mean by "dirty"? Is there algae or gunk on the glass? Is the water cloudy? Is there gunk on the bottom of the tank or on the gravel?

Aquarium filters generally don't 'clean' the aquarium in the traditional sense, but rather make the water quality safe for the fish. It does this using filter media: activated charcoal removes some toxins and trace elements but the real work is done by beneficial bacteria that becomes established in a second spongy filter media. This biofilter converts fishes' excreted ammonia (bad) into nitrite (bad) and then into nitrate (not so bad). You can learn more about biofilters with keywords like "nitrogen cycle" or "cycling an aquarium." If you're inheriting the aquarium, the biofilter is probably already established and you just need to make sure water is circulating through the mechanical bits.

Generally there are a few things that apply to any tank to keep it clean and healthy in addition to getting the filter working:

Using an algae brush on the glass walls when they get scummy.

Don't let it sit in direct sunlight (algae loves sunlight and fish can get too hot)

Using a siphon vacuum or "gravel vacuum" to clean up waste and uneaten food in the tank

Changing the water (10% a week or 30-40% a month depending on your motivation). Make sure to declhorinate it with Prime or similar product. Or just leave it out for a day or two before adding to the tank.

Replacing the filter media (maybe every 3-6 months or longer)

Don't overfeed. Only feed what the fish will eat in 2 minutes each day. Anything else added to the tank will just affect the water quality.

2.5 Gal is a very small tank, so a vacuum shouldn't take more than a minute. And if you're willing to go to a fish store with the filter/hood parts, the clerks there should be pretty helpful in explaining what goes where. Also keep in mind that Grover, as a Beta, can take in air at the surface and is hardy enough not to need a powered filter or air stone if water changes and gravel cleaning are consistent. A filter makes the water less smelly and stagnant, though.

posted by cowbellemoo at 12:42 PM on June 19, 2009

Do NOT replace all of the filter media at once. No more than 50%. As noted, the beneficial bacteria in the filter do a lot of the work, and you need to leave enough for them to re-establish in the new medium.
posted by Caviar at 5:52 PM on June 20, 2009