Good quality video. Since so many novices watch your channel it is good that you recommend 20% water change to be conservative and not shocking the fish. Controlling all the water change variables is something that takes experience. I can tell you though, now that I do 80% water change, my fish have never been healthier. On an 80% water change you can have a disaster if there is variation in your tap water ( eg chlorine), if you add the replacement water too fast, or if you run out of hot water (in the winter) while refilling the tank. Or if you forget to add Safe, which i have done.
Thank for suggesting the algae scraper. I have it I'm my Amazon cart! I'm getting the medium because my tank is only a 55 gallon for now! I know it will be worth the money!! Love watching your cleaning videos. Always learning. Thanks Ben 😊
I agree completely - the sound of an overflowing tank is a very unpleasant feeling - it is also costly too as it depends how long water has been spilling out onto the floor as to how much you pay to get the water up off the floor, especially if the floor is carpet-ed - it cost me about AU $500 and, according to the cleaning guy, I was very lucky that there was not a lot of water to remove so it did not cost me as much as if the water had spilling onto the floor and pooling for longer than 15 minutes (which was the case with my situation) - basically - the longer the water pools on a floor, the more it costs to clean up, potentially replace the carpet (even more painful if you are renting).
True. I had a stand in California that was impossible to get under, so when water got in there I couldn't get it really dry. When I finally moved the tank I discovered $800 in wood floor damage. So, I know exactly what you're talking about.
I’ve heard about this product called monster 360 that’s supposed to help keep nitrates under control to reduce water changes to once a month instead of weekly. What do you think?
Great video. You know the one common thread that comes up when doing any type of water change, bring your A-game and pay attention. Too many mistakes to make if you dont. Thank you.
Man I switched to sumps years ago when I initially got into discus and then carried it over to saltwater. I dunno how you guys can tolerate those canister filters. The catch is I don’t heavily plant tanks so I suppose if you are into the high tech planted stuff, it’s got it’s placed. Never going back to canisters though lol
Hey Ben I got a new tank 4 days ago I set it up and put substrate,filter,decor and water in, I tried cycling it and put in benificial bacteria every night for the past 4 nights but then today relized it’s not cycling because I need ammonia, so I ordered some online but it needs 4 days, so should I keep putting benificial bacteria when the ammonia comes or the ammonia I have in there now will still be alive and would cycle the tank, by the way the bacteria I use it seachem stability
Save your stability until you are able to add an ammonia source. You can use fish food or maybe get a couple feeder guppies to get it started. After a few days you’ll see some ammonia on you test. Do a 20-50% water change and add prime each time you do a change . This will bind the ammonia as well as remove harmful chemicals.
Yes, the BB needs a source of food. This is why they suggest adding fish immediately in small quantities. Fritz has "Fishless Fuel" ammonia, but I just use FritzZyme 7 and add fish as the ammonia source. If you can throw in some seeded media from a well established tank, that is the best BB you can use to jump start a tank.
Good evening Ben, you mentioned that you only do a 20% water change due to your water parameters. Out of curiosity, what are your nitrates prior to doing the water change? I currently do an approximate 70% change weekly as my nitrates are between 40-80 after a week.
It's changing with the addition of new stock, but 30-40ppm after a week is not uncommon. 70-80% WC could drop it to around 20ppm but I'm not convinced that this will improve the quality of life of the fish enough to warrant the time and effort (and cost) that would be required.
@@BenOchart Thank you Ben. I have been considering doing smaller water changes. I have a Santa Monica Algae Scrubber, and I am hoping that will begin to reduce the nitrates also.
hi hey I wanted let you know I really like this cichlids and coffee live Scream 👍👍this video also was great/ Question my WaveMaker broken and I ordered a new one but I didn't 100 gallon to 210 gallon do you think it to strong for 75gal I didn't know at the time until I looked at Order the 2nd time I do have adults And few juggernal cichlids tank is it too strong for 75gal I put it top of the tank by intake to help keep clean and Oxygen the tank Help break up the surface of the water
@@BenOchart so what you saying just run it morning and when I leave turn it off then turn it on when I get home but most definitely turn it off at bed time I do keep it up top on the same side intake is that the right side to help keep the tank clean as well
I would be guessing because I've never kept a flowerhorn. I don't think trace minerals would hurt in modest quantities but there might be a better additive more specific to flowerhorns. I would suggest contacting someone that sells them.
@@BenOchart I got the same size as the one you showed. As soon as I opened it I was OH NO, no no no, cap back on lol. Like the absolute strongest and worst sulfur smell I’ve ever smelled
@@greygoose117 hey my friend, I would most definitely call sechem about the unusual smell and let them replace it, and they might want you to send them the safe you have to see if they might have a problem with the line of production that day.
![Sump Filter 6 Month Follow-Up [Plus *DETAILED* Breakdown]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vOHZhLw5sAs/mqdefault.jpg)
![Sump Filter 6 Month Follow-Up [Plus *DETAILED* Breakdown]](/img/tr.png)
![3 Tips for New Tank Water Changes [Don't Make this Common Fatal Mistake - Watch This!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fCF-Rfb2ofU/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video!!
Beautiful tank
Hey ben ! Great video. 🐠. I use. Seachem safe. And. Seachem salts. Great products…….. 💯 ✅
Good quality video. Since so many novices watch your channel it is good that you recommend 20% water change to be conservative and not shocking the fish. Controlling all the water change variables is something that takes experience. I can tell you though, now that I do 80% water change, my fish have never been healthier. On an 80% water change you can have a disaster if there is variation in your tap water ( eg chlorine), if you add the replacement water too fast, or if you run out of hot water (in the winter) while refilling the tank. Or if you forget to add Safe, which i have done.
Good points.
Thank for suggesting the algae scraper. I have it I'm my Amazon cart! I'm getting the medium because my tank is only a 55 gallon for now! I know it will be worth the money!! Love watching your cleaning videos. Always learning. Thanks Ben 😊
Very cool. Let me know how you like it.
Nice work 👌 I'm convinced my next tank over 100 gallons will have a DIY sump 😎 Also like the FX6 draining hack 😀
Great job my man
Thank you 😀👍🏻
I agree completely - the sound of an overflowing tank is a very unpleasant feeling - it is also costly too as it depends how long water has been spilling out onto the floor as to how much you pay to get the water up off the floor, especially if the floor is carpet-ed - it cost me about AU $500 and, according to the cleaning guy, I was very lucky that there was not a lot of water to remove so it did not cost me as much as if the water had spilling onto the floor and pooling for longer than 15 minutes (which was the case with my situation) - basically - the longer the water pools on a floor, the more it costs to clean up, potentially replace the carpet (even more painful if you are renting).
True. I had a stand in California that was impossible to get under, so when water got in there I couldn't get it really dry. When I finally moved the tank I discovered $800 in wood floor damage. So, I know exactly what you're talking about.
Good job👍✌️
I always wanted to one day make my own diy sump maybe after im done w my 704 b’s
I’ve heard about this product called monster 360 that’s supposed to help keep nitrates under control to reduce water changes to once a month instead of weekly. What do you think?
I’ve used it for water clarity. I like Fritz products.
Good evening Ben
Hey Dom!
Great video. You know the one common thread that comes up when doing any type of water change, bring your A-game and pay attention. Too many mistakes to make if you dont. Thank you.
So true
Man I switched to sumps years ago when I initially got into discus and then carried it over to saltwater. I dunno how you guys can tolerate those canister filters. The catch is I don’t heavily plant tanks so I suppose if you are into the high tech planted stuff, it’s got it’s placed. Never going back to canisters though lol
Sumps are the King of filtration
Hey Ben I got a new tank 4 days ago I set it up and put substrate,filter,decor and water in, I tried cycling it and put in benificial bacteria every night for the past 4 nights but then today relized it’s not cycling because I need ammonia, so I ordered some online but it needs 4 days, so should I keep putting benificial bacteria when the ammonia comes or the ammonia I have in there now will still be alive and would cycle the tank, by the way the bacteria I use it seachem stability
Save your stability until you are able to add an ammonia source. You can use fish food or maybe get a couple feeder guppies to get it started. After a few days you’ll see some ammonia on you test. Do a 20-50% water change and add prime each time you do a change . This will bind the ammonia as well as remove harmful chemicals.
Yes, the BB needs a source of food. This is why they suggest adding fish immediately in small quantities. Fritz has "Fishless Fuel" ammonia, but I just use FritzZyme 7 and add fish as the ammonia source. If you can throw in some seeded media from a well established tank, that is the best BB you can use to jump start a tank.
I find a third is the way to go
👍👍👍
Speaking from experience, I bet you "got involved in a conversation" with your wife after over flowing that tank 😂
She’s very understanding (but the $800 wood floor repair did hurt)
Good evening Ben, you mentioned that you only do a 20% water change due to your water parameters. Out of curiosity, what are your nitrates prior to doing the water change? I currently do an approximate 70% change weekly as my nitrates are between 40-80 after a week.
It's changing with the addition of new stock, but 30-40ppm after a week is not uncommon. 70-80% WC could drop it to around 20ppm but I'm not convinced that this will improve the quality of life of the fish enough to warrant the time and effort (and cost) that would be required.
@@BenOchart Thank you Ben. I have been considering doing smaller water changes. I have a Santa Monica Algae Scrubber, and I am hoping that will begin to reduce the nitrates also.
hi hey I wanted let you know I really like this cichlids and coffee live Scream 👍👍this video also was great/ Question my WaveMaker broken and I ordered a new one but I didn't 100 gallon to 210 gallon do you think it to strong for 75gal I didn't know at the time until I looked at Order the 2nd time I do have adults And few juggernal cichlids tank is it too strong for 75gal I put it top of the tank by intake to help keep clean and Oxygen the tank Help break up the surface of the water
Place it near the top with a slight tilt upward and run it on a timer for a hour at a time 3 times a day and you'll be fine.
@@BenOchart so what you saying just run it morning and when I leave turn it off then turn it on when I get home but most definitely turn it off at bed time I do keep it up top on the same side intake is that the right side to help keep the tank clean as well
Hi Sir, i need some guidance. Can I use Cichlid trace for flowerhorn fish?
Also can you suggest any seachem products for flowerhorn.
I would be guessing because I've never kept a flowerhorn. I don't think trace minerals would hurt in modest quantities but there might be a better additive more specific to flowerhorns. I would suggest contacting someone that sells them.
@@BenOchart Thanks
I bought safe and want to use it but OMG, the smell is ridiculously bad, it stunk up my whole basement and I could even smell it upstairs 😳🤢
That’s very unusual. It smells, like most water conditioners do, but it shouldn’t be that bad.
@@BenOchart I got the same size as the one you showed. As soon as I opened it I was OH NO, no no no, cap back on lol. Like the absolute strongest and worst sulfur smell I’ve ever smelled
@@greygoose117 hey my friend, I would most definitely call sechem about the unusual smell and let them replace it, and they might want you to send them the safe you have to see if they might have a problem with the line of production that day.