Optimizing Your Water Quality | Surface Scum & Filtration | Aquascaping
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- čas přidán 13. 01. 2018
- In this video I talk about how you can optimize your water quality in your aquascape by increasing, and or maintaining high oxygen levels, and by reducing organics in the water column and in the aquarium. My new method is to not touch the filter. Let the sludge/biofilm in the filter age. It will work more efficiently. However, continue to clean the detritus and decaying plant matter out of the actual aquarium itself. ADU Aquascaping is here to help! And thanks for watching. Keep your sleeves wet!
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Let me know if you have noticed similar outcomes in regard to not touching your filter. My water quality increases the less I mess with my filter. Try this method out, if you haven't, and let the rest of us know how it goes.
ADU Aquascaping I may have touched my filter too much my last water change a few days ago..
Today I woke up to two dead ones and found 1ppm ammonia.
I usually clean my filter maximum 2-3 times per year when water flow decreses, you minimize water changes and the ecosystem becomes stable. The condition is not to overstock the aquarium - in my 225l I have 15 tetras, 3 plecos and couple doze of shrimp.
ADU Aquascaping well I'm running internal aquael filter, can't tell much coz it gets dirty in 10 days between my waterchanges. I'll try rise that period twice for filter. My additional skim filter helps a lot with surface cleaning, as I told earlier
As always, great video, Dave, good balance between voice and back music, colourful picture, information is very useful and clear to understand
GreenThumb Scapers very nice scape! Wow! I need to get back on Instagram. Love the rocks mixed with the wood. Looks really natural.
ADU Aquascaping I have two tanks, one is 300l with two canister filters (fluval 306), the other tank is my recent project for my daughter and it’s 45l (fluval 106 filter). Both are fully planted tanks and I had quite of a lesson with the small tank and surface agitation needs. I had major problem with it due to too small water flow. Effect was green water and too much bio film on the surface, too low oxygen and huge toll on fish and shrimp. Increasing the water flow in the tank made it work perfect and this was the only missing element. I totally underestimated it.
About filters, based on many years of experience with my big tank, I literally never clean them. The only time I do it is when I restart the whole tank, which means more less every two years. I have both filters connected in line. Generally manufacturers of filters overreact with recommendations regarding tank size. Experience tells me If they say filter is for 300l you need two for 300l tank, this is why I went with 100l canister filter for 45l tank.
Filtration is huge factor in this hobby. Id rather use two filters than one bigger due to bigger filtration surface and stronger suction power of two units combined.
Regarding ferts, I use automatic pumps for both tanks and basically test the water daily for first two weeks to a month and adjust my automatic pumps dosing to reach NPK in 10:1:20 proportions and Fe level to 0,5-1. I dose micro only at night in one dose and macro in 3 doses to keep the level ideal all the time.
Regarding water I use 50/50 ro and tap water.
You are doing a great job with this movies. If not for this one I’d struggle with my small tank much longer.
I absolutely love how you bring science into planted aquariums, you and Dennis Wong set an excellent example of what it can do for the hobby. Something to aspire to for my own videos, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! :)
Great info mate, I've been aquascaping for years and I learned something today after watching you vid.
You got my sub.
Great info, has worked for me in my planted 55. Just doing water changes and removing decaying plants and occasionally cleaning my filter and I noticed the tank becoming crystal clear.
Racing's Natural Aquariums Amen!!!!! Aged sludge is a good thing.
This was a very informative and thought provoking video. Thanks ADU Aquascaping.
Great talk, thanks. I've switched out to a sponge ran by a power head in the tank with a skimmer. Little more in the tank, but the plants hide it well and I think I'm getting the best of o2 with good bio.
Yes yes thats what i do...... Normally i dont clean my filter ( because m lazy ) n surprisingly it worked well for me...
I jus never said it out loud because i know tons of hobbyists there will criticize me ....
Really like the way u boldly brought it upon... I had several instances where small particles were coming out of my filter ..... All i did is dip filter media in tank water prior water change ....
Pinaki Pal I think aged sludge is a good thing. Thanks for the support!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Dave , Since I set up my aquarium about 6 months ago I have not cleaned my canister filters I run 2 of the them to have redundancy, I have 2 prefilter sponges at the inlet of the filters, they work really well and trap most of the scum, I clean those prefilter every 2 weeks and it helps to have the filters without opening for mounts, the flow of the filters has never chance, they don’t get clogged.Good point that you touch in there also a protein skimmer helps a lot, with all that said my water parameters are close to perfect and awesome water quality. Great video as always.
ADU Aquascaping I too see and have experienced the info you are sharing. I have two ten gallon tanks, both with surface skimmers, one is a community tank, one is a shrimp only tank. I have experienced the effects of uneven CO2 distribution while having my surface skimmmers off for extended periods of time. My plant health suffered and my HOB filters needed more TLC from detritus build up. Since going back to regularly using my surface skimmers I have noticed better overall plant health. Less accumulation of detritus build up and an accumulation of what I call, and what you mentioned, mature sludge. It’s a deep green color and if left alone it will clog my filters so I reluctantly have to clean my HOB’s. This hobby is great and your shared experiences help all of us in the community. Thanks for another great vid. Sleeves staying wet from Kansas City Kansas!
finalout99 thanks for sharing. This helps bring it into perspective even further. Less surface scum=higher O2= better plant growth from CO2 distribution, and then less detritus from unhealthy plants, and therefore less organics to worry about, which helps to maintain higher O2 as well. Great example of exactly what I am talking about. Thanks for watching!
Another great video, love the info.👍
Best aquarium advice on CZcams. Keep up the good work bro!
Anderson Witherell glad you liked the video. Thanks for the feedback
you are my favorite aquascaping channel because you discuss the art and science of the craft
thanks! I am glad you enjoy the videos! Will have another one coming this weekend!
I love all this info you keep putting out. I've learned a lot just from your channel alone. Always good content here. I thank you sir!
JsAquaStuff thanks for watching and for the feedback. I will continue to try and get at least one video out every two weeks.
Good to see you making videos again .
This must be a great video for intermediate or advance aquarium people. I need to learn the basic first. I love your aquarium!
Love the science discussion, thanks for clarifying BOD
Thanks for your technical advice, you videos are very intresting.
at :0:50 I stopped the video, made cup of tea and came back excited for a good old fashion aquarium talk session!!
Shawn Hineidi hahaha nice! Hope it was worth your time.
I think your spot on. I NEVER clean my bio filter and all my tanks are crystal clear and have been for years. Heavy plant load is important.
Isaac P glad you agree. It seems to be what a lot of hobbyists are saying. Thanks for the feedback
Realy great understandeble video. I love it Pace out brother.
This is how I do it! Now I know why it’s working great although a lot of people talking about cleaning filter every water change.
AquaLars FishNShrimps yeah it is good to have a mature sludge. Every water change is too much for most situations. Depends, but most the time you rarely have to touch the filter. Especially with consistent husbandry and good O2 levels.
Very in depth, and the information makes a lot of sense. Funny to see the surface scum information, as pecktec just recently reviewed a surface skimmer and also gave you a shoutout :)
Fish For Thought hey I saw that video, but how do we know for certain it was not one of his clones who purchased the skimmer? Haha
Haha xD
i like your tank alot. your plants look so healthy and the fish selection is really nice. lovin it
Lord May thanks for the kind words! I appreciate the feedback
I always learn something new from your videos. Thank you! 💖😊🌱🦐
Aw thanks!
Such good information. Appreciate u.
Incredible video bro. I will def give this a try and get back to you. I think it’s been a month since I’ve cleaned my 406 filter. Gonna leave it alone and do as you recommend
I seen a set of stainless steel pipes that have a height adjustable bracket and the intake also has a surface skimmer! Looks great for a canister filter!
Great info! Thanks!
Interesting, I dont use filters but used to and this makes alot of sense!
I need to scape a little filterless pico! Thanks for watching man
Very much informative video.
Whoa - Haven't seen anything from this channel for quite some time and WOW - THAT image :) Your tank looks good! UP for the ember tetras :) BTW I needed to clean my filter (canister) because the flow was really poor. Also changed my filtration regime, added another filter (in counterflow to the first one) with skimmer. Good stuff from you as always!
Sławek B. Check out my other recent videos. Thanks for watching as always!
I will :) Always a pleasure!
Those ember tetras are amazing !
They're great! I have them too - love them! :)
Yes I love them! One of my favorite fish, ever!
Okay this is good for me! I’ve been saying I need to clean my filter just cuz I haven’t in a long time. Water flow is still good though and water is clear. Love these videos! Ty!
jonnyboy5050 haha, now you can relax for a bit longer
love your video's!! Been subscribed forever, and I cant think of a bad video you've ever made!! I just wish I could get my "aquatic green thumb" working. I just don't seem to have luck with planting my aquarium. :'( Maybe one day that'll change. Probably the biggest hindrance I have is money, and a lack of time to care for my aquarium, but I always try my best.
AvianAviator hey thanks for watching. Just focus on water quality first, and use a soil substrate. And low to medium light. Keep it simple and work with what you have. Keep experimenting and stay consistent once you find a system that works for you. Thanks for the support!
Great video, excellent topic. My aquarium has a gravel substrate that is now 14 years old. It is heavily planted, over populated and never water changed. Once I realized that the purpose of the canister filter was to 'process nutrients' rather than to 'clean the water' everything began to thrive. The filter takes in organic material, breaks it down, and emits liquid fertilizer. The plants then purifier the water by taking in the nutrients. I always encouraged biodiversity by permitting hitchhikers to transfer with plant and fish purchases. I have a healthy population of nematodes and snails. Now this may sound a bit sadistic, but I found it really does help to keep Malaysian trumpet snails inside my filter.
Everything plants need to grow is contained in fish food (The higher the quality the better). I am into several generations of some of the fish and plants. These plants and animals are the total sum of all the fish food I added to the aquarium. Nothing more. Fish food goes in, plant trimmings come out. The key to a healthy aquarium is to develop a healthy culture of micro organisms. Good things take a long time to happen.
RichGuano That sounds awesome!!! I like that approach. And I also like snails and we both know they help a lot with decomposition. Wish more people enjoyed the snails. I do have to remove mine on a weekly basis, but I still enjoy them. Thanks for watching and glad to hear about your tank. Thanks for sharing
ADU Aquascaping Please make a video on how to substrate your filter to better support your leave the filter alone strategy. Eheim "out of the box" Pro4 filtration is spot on, but well wishing fatheads on the internet recommend stacking the media to fit conventional thinking. (Which is fine filtration followed by biological media). This is why filters clog. Eheim to the contrary, stacks the bio media before the fine filter. The fine filter traps the crap from escaping which is really just dead bacteria.
When you open a Eheim Pro 4 for servicing, you are first presented with the course media in the top bin, just underneath is the fine media. Both can be rinsed and returned without touching the rest of the filter trays that lay beneath. Regardless of the stacking order, water flow is channeled to use the course filter first and the fine filter very last. It is brilliant, and underappreciated.
RichGuano funny thing is, I have noticed this very thing with Eheim filters and I agree! Makes way more sense
Sweet grew up on Hawaii. Haleiwa is nice!
Yes i only run my finger across the outflow part once in a while to catch the sludge in a net. I use prefilter sponges that i rinse out.
Thomas Mccowan yes that should work well. Glad to hear it works and thank you for the feedback.
I clean my canister filter about once a month, because I run four different thicknesses of mechanical filtration (coarse, medium, fine, and 100 micron pad). This seems to be the sweet spot for filter maintenance, and even then it's never a "deep clean". Rinse the sponge, rinse the medium foam (replace if necessary but that's like every third cleaning), replace both polishing materials. Put the bio media in a bucket of tank water and lightly shake around, inspect color of Purigen to see if it needs to be recharged, and that's it. I don't scrub out the inside or the baskets or anything. All that film gets left alone.
I killed my tank just by cleaning my filter now it went to a cycle again. Thanks for this video. I am gonna do a rescape and do it the right way this time for my filter and maintainance.
Another sick video cheers, you should go for a lily pipe outlet with a surface skimmer, I've got a steel one and it works beauty.
Co3 Aqua thanks, yeah I think you're right. I am going to have to get one with a built in skimmer. This Ines flow is way too low.
@@ADUAquascaping you may not have to. Lift up that outflow pipe. I don't have one but have seen them installed protruding the water (a little ~1 cm vertically) and disturbing the surface tension much more
Best thing I ever did was to add a small fine air stone keeps the surface clear and the water healthy
Thx Dave
WaterForest • Aquatics any time dude!
It was good to see this video. I use HOB's with 2 sponges in each. I recently made 2 changes to my tanks. I started rinsing my sponge in my HOB's from every 12 days to 30 days. I have 2 sponges per HOB and alternate cleaning the sponges so I always have an aged sponge in the HOB. I also started feeding an airline under my water pump at a low rate so I have some fine mist of air bubbles shooting across the tank. In one tank the GDA which I battled for 9 months disappeared. Also the GSA that would appear between water changes also is gone. In my other tank the hair algae and GSA disappeared. Both tanks are fairly heavily planted and plant growth is good. I made these changes about 2 months ago. Not sure which of the changes or a combination of both caused this.
Rod S It may be both. Slight increase in O2 that then feeds a slightly older sludge. Could help to more efficiently reduce the organics. I just had a bacterial bloom after doing a thorough cleaning. I finally stopped and thought about all the times I cleaned my filter vs not cleaning it, and I said, you know what this is bull... I knew not to clean it, and it does correlate to water treatment plants - to some degree. Depends on the type of system that they run, but mature sludge is a good thing, and my filter is rather large for my size tank, and I have super high O2 levels. I don't need to clean it very often. Only clean the filter if sludge is falling away from the sponge.
Or flow is greatly reduced. Whichever comes first
Hi, another great video, very interesting about increasing surface agg to allow more co2 been injected and thus making co2 and o2 higher.
Can i ask, do u recommend running airstones during lights out to yet again increase o2?
james leagas You can do that if your agitation is lower during the day. Check out my other latest video, optimizing your CO2 to get more ideas on gas exchange
Very very nice 👍👍👍
Valery Mykh спасибо!
Piece of Heaven
Learning everyday from you, your tips and your work. What´s your opinion on sponge or acrylic cotton pre-filters to be removed weekly, so the cleaning of the canister can be done less frequently? What lighting do you use (brand/ watts/ specs...)? Thank you very much, regards
Idafe Perez yeah cleaning a prefilter sponge is fine. I am using a Aquatic Life Halo LED. About 8hrs a day at 50% of full power
Which would be only 45 watts during operation. 100% power is 90 watts. High output light with great color rendering
I was just gonna mention your new pipes... then you said something haha get the lily/violet pipe outflow instead made for more circulation
That beard and mustache 👌🏽
Moises Villalobos haha, yo what up dude!
Dave welcome back great video I just survived a bout of Ick last time I cleaned my canister filter was about 6 weeks ago ,I was going to clean the filter until I saw your Video, you think I should wait before cleaning ?
yeah I would wait for a bit. Give the tank time to bounce back after something like that.
OK Thanks So Far everything Looks fine
use a sponge filter in your intake it will keep your filter clean / for cleaning you just rinse intake sponge filter
Thanks bxkid7 picked one up from Cory at Aquarium Co-op works great
Nice channel
Those ember tetras are so vibrant! Are they a high end strain or is it just good husbandry?
Patrick Schultz Really nice strain for sure. And decent food as well.
Additionally - Dave has a good deal of vegetation there, so there's shadow. And ember tetras DO like shadow. In fact when exposed to high-light conditions they swim near the bottom of the tank and seem scared. Usually loss of coloration occurs as well.
Sławek B. Oh yeah that is true. I remember reading about how they like shadows, and in my last scape it was really bright and nowhere for them to hide, and when I first got them they would often hide in the back and I knew it was because the tank was too bright. Thanks for reminding me. I think this is another reason why everyone is really liking this particular scape, because it is a good habitat for the fish.
Great video, just a question and might sound stupid. If I were using a RO system and I store water for a day or two before adding to the system / tank. Would this be beneficial or not?
Also filter is cleaned only once I notice, slow flow rate.
You can clean the filter if it is very clogged. If you let the water sit some chlorine will gas off, but other than that no real benefit. Unless it is also very cold. Then you can let it sit to warm up.
I use a benificial bacteria made for ponds that I put into my tank. It is a certain kind of bacteria that reduces fish waste, organic plant material, sludge, pond scum, and excess nutrients. I also do not touch my filter but maybe 1-2 times a year.
Jamie Don hey what is the brand name? Thanks for watching. I have thought about using those before
ADU Aquascaping, it is called Ecofix Sludge Destroyer. I just put a little in after my weekly tank cleaning. I was just walking through my local farm and feed store and it caught my eye as I passed the pond section. I thought, why couldnt this work in my aquarium? I like it a lot because it seems to keep my filter cleanings down and my water quality up.
Hey! Do you recommend fine polishing media? I feel like that's what get clogged in my filter most often.
SuperMDemon yes you can clean pre filter polishing pads more often.
Hi how do I go on with a sump because my pump gets clogs very easy and how long would you go on cleaning your filter I do my sponges every month and my bio media sits in side my sponge all my nano tanks are like that cheers
anthony Pope You may just have to find a new configuration. Cleaning pre filter sponge is fine, but I have found that leaving sponge and biomedia untouc works very well. Maybe add more sponge in strategic areas of you sump. Before pump etc..
ADU Aquascaping, would you advise releasing the surface's scum of a filters sponge to increase pump efficiency monthly? If i just keep my filter running without cleaning at least the outside part of the sponge would it benefit the aquarium most?(i have an internal filter)
Conrad Rubin If you need to clean just the outside to keep the flow going than go ahead and do that for the flow itself, and don't clean anything else, unless it really needs it. From time to time you will need to, but not as often as we all think.
You could rinse out your mechanical filter media in the tank water you siphon out from a water change and then you won't kill the bacteria with chlorinated tap water...
Hh, so stupid comment. 🙈
Those little cool orange fish, what are they? Thanks.
They're Ember Tetras
My filter will only get cleaned if it becomes clogged with too much detritus. And I only will clean the sponge filter which in my filter is the first stage of filtering.
I will change out the floss completely.
My filter order is---> Sponge, floss, carbon, ceramic rings-->.
My tank has been setup since November and the only thing I have cleaned is the actual filter housing and whatever ends up at the bottom of the canister (snails, plant matter and fish waste usually settle down in the bottom)
I always face bacterial bloom after cleaning my canister filter. Do you suggest any tip to reduce it?
Obaid Ur Rehman I do too. Just clean less of the sponge less often. I got a bloom recently, so I stopped cleaning my filter as much. You could try supplemental bacteria, but it isn't necessary
maybe you cleaning too much if your water parameter are good don't mess with the filter also use a sponge filter in the intake
Hello Dave I’m a huge fan and a youth aqauscaper and planning on setting up a Ada 90p (36 by 18 by 18”-45gallons) I am using Ada Amazonia and power sand with a additive my water is similar to yours with a ph 7.4 and very hard I plan on creating a jungle type aquascape and injecting Co2 I’m just in the planning stage I just need your advice on the scape and the layout
Who said Aqua? Hey sounds like you're getting serious. Email me, fishfinaticsdob23@gmail.com with questions!
Thank you Dave I appreciate it!
Nice guy. Cool beard.
Thanks Robert. Rock on!
Another great video Dave... I have too noticed on my very small 3 gal picotope that the longer I wait in cleaning out the canister the clearer my water looks but I can't really say that for my larger tank with a completely different setup and a very heavy load of fish I really have to be on top of that tank to keep it looking clean and clear.
I did notice that you got some new Lily pipes I like the look... sleek but it doesn't look like it moves the water much? Have you looked at the stainless steel Lily pipes with a built-in skimmer or even the glass one's on Amazon? Btw if you don't mind taking a min and checking out my channel and tell me what you think of my 3 gal picotope tank thanks Dave.
Luis Q.
I think it would be enough to position this lily pipe a bit higher to get more surface agitation. These bubble shaped lily pipes are especially designed for that ;)
I checked it out man! Glad to see you're still in the hobby. Yeas I did see those. I figure I will have to get one with a skimmer built in
I I tried doing that, but it didn't work very well and I don't want it too high otherwise it splashes too much. I wish they made glass outlets that had adjustable nozzles like my plastic one. I can easily aim it upwards, and the flow is a lot higher. The Poppy reduced the flow too much for my system
ADU Aquascaping
I think I made a similar mistake :P
I ordered a lilypipe which is very narrow vertically. It's supposed to direct the flow towards the bottom, which is good because I have quite a tall tank. But now I worry that it wont create enough surface agitation... I hope that I can put the upper part a bit above the surface without too much splashing.
What if you don't clean the filter but have a profilter sponge and clean only that?
bloskas yes if you need to clean it to keep the flow high than that should be fine. Or to reduce some organics on the prefilter than cleaning it is fine.
that is the reason i use a prefilter anyway! for not having to clean the filter!
Good video. They make a small surface skimmer. I did a video on my channel if you're interested. Great looking tank!
from Hawaii grew up NS I work in Haleiwa haha
Robert Abila man, I was there all day everyday! I was staying in Waialua. Went to Jerry's pizza, Kaena point, electric beach, Waimano falls, Kaau Crater, kayaked to Chinaman's hat and hiked to the top. Boogie boarded at Waimea, which was pretty intense. Surfed at Haleiwa. Hiked to the top of Makapuu point and saw some Manta Ray's from above. Saw a whale at electric beach and of course thousands of fish and turtles. Was a pretty awesome time. Went to Paalaa Kai bakery and mini Mart in Waialua daily! Got snow puffies. Haha
ADU Aquascaping oh damn ya you did some non tourist stuff haha ya paalaa puffs are pretty good hehe I like the fried chicken with the nori rice gotta go early morning for the fresh batches good stuff
Also next time you want shave ice best on the island isn't on the NS Waiola's is the best should check it out once you try it you understand why it's all about how fine the ice comes out most place is too chunky including mastumotos he's just got a great location also make sure you add ice cream and condensed milk good stuff
Robert Abila haha, yes I got the chicken and rice in the morning! And the shrimp! Great place
Robert Abila yes I get it with ice cream, condensed milk, and the beans! Haha. I will have to try it out next time I am there. My buddy Mike is born and raised in Whitmore Village. You may know him as Ebi on TPT or Facebook forums, he is also the owner of Animal Ark in Orem, UT. He is always selling plants and grew up spear fishing. Thanks for the response. Sometimes I wish I could live there because I love swimming. I really love it there and the locals are a lot nicer than people in my own community. Haha
please don't ever leave me
scampublic starting next week. Haha
How come you don’t have surface agitation then?
Sugirthan Rajasingam I had a Poppy pipe on there for a day. Did you watch the end where I talk about it? I quickly went back to my original outlet.
hey adu get the lily pipe with surface skimmer that is what i have in my tank
DRIPn VAPE is this a glass Lily pipe? If so you have a link of the one you have?
Yeah you're right. I am thinking I will have to. Thanks
no problem got mine from china aliexpress really cheap
www.ebay.com/itm/Glass-Lily-Pipe-Inflow-for-Planted-Aquarium-Tank-with-Surface-Skimmer/263334269051?hash=item3d4ff2107b:m:mPCx2ChOMvprrsgwBnFaJ-w
Lily pipe is OK, I've had one for about a year attached to the input of my main canister filter. But it was really problematic to fine-tune the flow, sometimes the canister was getting air and so on. Now I added another filter (really small waterfall-cascade type) with surface skimmer and no problems so far. Also adds to the mechanical filtration efficiency.
#FearTheBeard
What is name of the fish in your tank
Prince ray ember tetras
Watch my new video, aquarium after 15 days.
ember tetras?
Morávia yes!!
Check out www.hinterfeld.com and try out the surface skimmer glass Lily pipe. I just purchased one and am yet to set it up but it looks very promising.
yeah I am going to get the skimmer outtake and the jet intake.
As Flanders would say I sub diddly ubbed you.
Come on u don’t surf