My Filtration System

I have 2 cannister filters running on my 30 gallon planted discus tank. I do not have the charcoal or ammonia components. ( just sponges ) Once a month, I take the bottom sponge & wash it in the dirty water I got out of the tank during my water change. Then, I move the bottom sponge to the top & so on.

What do you think ?

 

Sounds o.k. Why are you asking?

 

Sounds like a plan!!! If it works for you...keep doing it!

 

Why Am I Asking

The reason I am asking, is because I wondered if it would be harmful to the fish without the charcoal & Ammonia. Discus have to have a clean tank ! I do 2 water changes a week. @ the time I wipe down the
inside of the glass, as dicus secrete a film that attaches to the glass. It is not healthy for them. I also vaccuum the gravel, but not deeply. I just want the surface dirt as the plants need the mulm below. I trim any dead on the plants.I inject CO2. I run the lights about 8 hours per day as the dicsus don't seem to be able to tolerate much more.

I add Aqua Clear & plant food @ each water change. I am disappointed @ the rate @ which the plants are growing.

I swap the sponges once per month.

I just wanted to know if I am doing the right thing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I don't know what you mean by "ammonia component", so I'm not going to go there without some clarification.

The charcoal component will help keep the water clean. I would use it if possible.

 

I got you now...well, why can't you utilize Ammonia and charcoal? My other question is, why would there be Ammonia in an established tank?

 

The questionaire is asking if the ammonia chips can be removed rom the canister...Well once a FW tank is established,especially with plants growing (even slowly), I dont see any increase in ammonia unless you dont maintain the tank well.but your water change regime is very good for any ammonia spike

Btw what kind of plants do you have in your tank..Maybe a few pics could help us in identifying the same

Oceansurf please let us know on the lighting that you have currently...i would suggest that you could increase your lighting so that the plants get enough light (preferrably with a timer).

And how many bubbles of CO2/second do you send through the CO2 system

 

I have a sun/reef light 50/50
6500K trichromatic day light & 420 phosphor & antic
I have a bubble of CO2 about every 30 sec or so. It is getting ready to be changed.I do a water change twice a week & add the plant food Flornea each time. It is on the net if you want to look it up.
I run the lights 8 to 10 hours a day.
Again, why do you think my plants are growing so slowly & what mediums would you put in a cannister filter ?

Thanks,
Oceansurf.