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RE: Garage Sale Filter

momijigx — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:22:48 GMT

i think you should get a new filter, if you have doubts about it and YOUR the one taking care of the fish, you should just go with it. (Although that does not apply to medicine and fish, because thinking that way with medicine and fish could kill your fish. ((Unless you think he/she DOESN'T have the disease or... I'll just Shut Up now.)))

RE: Garage Sale Filter

crazysqurrel06 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:43:58 GMT

princessotfu (7/25/2008)

You're using that for the tank with the goldfish? Then yes, you should replace it or buy a second one, because that isn't enough filtration, whether it works or not. You should aim for around 100gph for a goldfish in a 10g tank.

I thought I should get a new filter, but I wasn't sure. My mom said she wouldn't buy me a new filter unless the one I have isn't enough. My mom had to replace the 55 gallon tank filter for something bigger because we have Oscars in that tank.

RE: Garage Sale Filter

princessotfu — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:46:51 GMT

RE: Garage Sale Filter

math-only aquarium — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:20:26 GMT

I think Maon just meant that you need to have access to the cartridges when you're ready for them. Maon doesn't advocate changing media too frequently.

RE: Garage Sale Filter

FattFishy — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:35:19 GMT

Don't change the cartridges frequently. Just keep the same cartridge in for as long as possible, until it starts to rip apart. But if you're using activated carbon, switch back and forth for 2 weeks at a time. The bacteria in the filter cartridge can die if changed too much and cause a nasty mini-cycle in which your ammonia and nitrite go back up again.

Even though it was used for turtles, I think it'll be alright. This filter is pretty durable.

RE: Garage Sale Filter

crazysqurrel06 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:27:53 GMT

FattFishy (7/24/2008)

The filter has a GPH of 50. For Top Fin power filters, it always does 5 cycles per hour. Example: I have a 28 gallon bowfront, round it up, 30. My Top Fin Filter is 150, > or = 5 cycles per hour. Yeah, I had the same problem figuring out the GPH.

Do you know exactly how long you've used it and how old it was before it was bought? I think it should do fine. Although you should check the impeller if it happens to stop.

I've use it for about half a year, and all I know about it is that the tank it came with used to house turtles. And there are still filter cartridges for it, but its a goldfish tank. And I don't think its doing a good job. Or maybe I'm just not changing the cartridge enough...

RE: Garage Sale Filter

maonaqua — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:17:47 GMT

Another consideration is whether or not you have access to cartridges that fit that particular model. If they no longer make cartridges for that model, then you don't have much of a choice but to get a new one. No less, if you do have cartridges and it still works, then I don't see a reason why you shouldn't use use. ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it")

RE: Garage Sale Filter

FattFishy — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:44:52 GMT

Do you know exactly how long you've used it and how old it was before it was bought? I think it should do fine. Although you should check the impeller if it happens to stop.

RE: Garage Sale Filter

crazysqurrel06 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:26:25 GMT

Bunse (7/24/2008)

Do you know anything about the filter. Brand, GPH?

Its a 10 gallon tank and the filters for a 10 gallon tank. The top of it says "TOP FIN 10" in sorta faded letters, but I don't even know if its the real top for it.

RE: Garage Sale Filter

Bunse — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:24:02 GMT

Do you know anything about the filter. Brand, GPH?

Garage Sale Filter

crazysqurrel06 — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:02:04 GMT

One of my tanks has a filter that came with it when I got it in a garage sale. It looks old but still works. Should I replace it?

The fish look like their doing fine with it. But I just want to make sure.