[AquaticLife] results from pet store
Well.. I want to make sure that it’s zeolite and not the biomax that comes with AquaClear filters. Here’s the picture of BioMax… second picture down with the label “biological media” next to it, while it’s still new in the plastic bag. The 7th pic also shows the Biomax in the little nylon media sock. AquaClear also sells the zeolite so we really need to clarify what you have in the filter… since there are many other brands of zeolite that might look different from the AquaClear brand. http://thegab.org/Articles/FilterProfileAquaClear20.html
AquaClear’s Zeolite - http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/12525.jpg
Have you been adding any meds to the tank yet.. other than the salt? If yes, then you should have removed the carbon. This is necessary when treating with any meds except when using salt. You need to start checking out here first before adding stuff to the tank. We still need to find out what kind of catfish you have. Some FW catfish can tolerate a little salt, others HATE salt and it will cause them many problems.
As far as the carbon, really it can be removed completely all of the time. There’s no need to run carbon in a filter as a general rule… only when needed to remove a medication or contamination from the tank. It’s just something the filter people try to sell people on using to take gold from your pocket and put it in theirs… another golden rule violation.
There are many forms of zeolite/ammonia removing chips… another golden rule violation. It’s a natural geologic rock and then is broken up into various sizes and even formed into pellets depending on who’s selling it. Let me know if you have Biomax or if it doesn’t look like Biomax, then it may be zeolite. Pics would be helpful. DO NOT REMOVE IT YET.. although we will be removing it if that is what you have. I’m concerned since if you have zeolite, then adding salt to the water could cause the zeolite to release the ammonia so test your water again and give us numbers. This is why it’s important to NOT add stuff to your water until you know what you have going on it already. Hopefully, the low level of salt that you have added will not cause the zeolite.. if you have it.. to release any of the sucked up ammonia. Zeolite only lasts for 5-7 days and then has to be replaced or recharged so if it’s been in your tank longer than that it’s likely not removing any more ammonia anyhow which is another reason why I’m concerned about the test results.
Salt will help fish a little but it can also hurt them. It’s the chloride in salt that will help fish with gill function but the sodium will cause them osmoregulatory issues and kidney problems.. just like with us humans who eat too much salt.
I seem to remember that you had more than just the ammonia and nitrate kits from API. Since I don’t trust your pet stores test results, go ahead and test your tank water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH and post your test results and also post the pet stores just so we can see if they match up.
I am copy/pasting your original post down below in this thread so keep the thread intact so we don’t have to go back and find your previous posts.
God.. sometimes I really hate fish and pet stores for the trouble they cause people. LOL I’m all for capitalism but not for ripping people off.
Lenny Vasbinder Fish Blog - http://GoldLenny.blogspot.com (Links to any articles referenced in above reply are listed on the right side, alphabetically under Labels and also under Archives by Year, Month)
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
