Aquarium question - water filtration

[bleedingheart]

We got an aquarium for the little B's and while the filter information says the cartridge should last two weeks, it isn't and how often should the water be changed out?

I am a bit concerned about the light cloudiness of the water.

[bleedingheart]

1. bump

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. We need much more info, dude.

What size aquarium? How many fish? How many inches of fish? What kind of filter is it - brand, style, and material it's using to filter? Do you have live plants? What chemicals have you used in the water?

Could just be a simple matter of feeding them too much. Cold be much more complex.

[bleedingheart]

3. okay here it goes...

28 gallon tank
the filter came with the tank and it has a carbon filter
no live plants

chemicals:
only salt (according to instructions for freshwater fish)
the stuff we put in to get rid of chlorine
the bacteria stuff

4 Mollies
4 Guppies
(all boys)

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. And this is brand new - so that this change of filter will be the first?

I would say go ahead and change the filter and see what happens. It could just be that the water you have needs more filtering than other water, or that something is wrong with the current filter pack you have in it. Also, if this a new setup, the internal chemistry of the water and filter system is fixing itself to get the nitrate cycle going.

4 mollies and 4 guppies will not eat much food, so it could be that you have extra food decomposing in the water. Whatever food you put in should be gone within two minutes.

When I first started my tank with just 3 tetras, I realized that I needed to actually count the individual crisps, and not just toss in a pinch. 3 crisps at a time. Much easier with more fish...

[bleedingheart]

5. I am thinking the little b's are feeding the fish on the sly...

and I have gotta put a stop to that.

Thanks for the advice on the feeding!

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. They very well could be doing so.

And you're welcome!

I hope you can figure out what's happening to make the water cloudy.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. As for the water changes...

I would do 10-15% changes every two weeks. Let the water stand for a few days before adding it to the tank and use water conditioner.