Question: Filter, waterfall (hang on) vs canister?

[Felfreckles]

Hi, my sons axie (T-Rex) keeps getting sick, the temp is fine, (chiller 17.5*) and he's eating, but he gets fungus's a lot and I feel it's the water quality. I do 20% water changes using declhorinated water once a week and remove excess waste with a turkey baster, recently I removed a substantial build up of black sand, the water just fouls to easily. I'm going to buy a testing kit as soon as I can, but I'm fairly sure the ammonia will be too high. Would it be worth my while replacing the hang on filter with a canister filter? It's a 60L tank with sand substrate and one axie, all plants (2) fake and he eats axolotl pellets. Thanks

 

[tusken raider]

For my 60L tank i have an Eheim 2215 external canister which i have no problems with and keeps the water crystal clear, and as summer approaches i will be able to add a chiller to the system. Upgrading to a canister filter will increase your filtration rate but wont resolve the water quality issue directly you also have to keep on top of water changes and remove the excess food. In my opinion i would do the change never once regretted getting the filter

 

[Felfreckles]

Thanks, I went to the Specialist pet store today and had the water tested, they didn't have time to explain the levels but said my ammonia and nitrate were too high, (not clear and pale orange he was very technical) they are certain my hang on filter should be adequate for one axie, but that doesn't explain the test results. Think I might make the switch to a canister as I don't know what else could be causing it?

 

[tusken raider]

Maybe increase your water changes and do them more often? I do used to do 25% changes and have started to do 30% once a week. Make sure you remove excess food and waste

 

[Jenste]

how long has your filter been set up? And the big question - is it cycled? It can take a few months for the proper bacteria colony to grow in the filter and if you ever remove the cartridge then you start the whole process over.

I recommend googling "the nitrogen cycle" for fish tanks and about the cycle of an aquarium.

Your filter may be strong enough to eventually filtrate your water, but the bacteria colony has not properly matured yet.