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About Ron Coleman
Expertise
I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish). Please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. I keep fishes both as a scientist and as a hobbyist and I currently maintain about 140 aquariums.

Experience
I am an Assistant Professor at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.

Publications
Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes

Education/Credentials
PhD (Toronto, 1993) MSc (Simon Fraser, 1986) BSc (British Columbia, 1983)

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Fish > Fish > help please??

Fish - help please??

Expert: Ron Coleman - 11/5/2009

Question

Can you tell me what order i should be setting up my filter?

I have a top filter setup with carbon, wool and noodles.

At the moment the carbon is on top, then the noodles then the wool.. Is this correct?

Thanks.

Alos, can you give me any more advice on how to speed up the cycling of my new tank, it is 3 weeks old now and i am still getting high ammonia levels, i have been changing 30-40% of the water every 3 days and still the ammonia is not going lower...

I have 4 red-eye tetras and a catfish in a 50 litre tank...

Please help??

I have cut down the feeding to once every 3 days as suggested by my local aquarium and also did a 50% water change 5 days ago...

Answer
Hi Darren,
  The exact ordering is not critical, however, it will work better if you put the wool where it will intercept the incoming water first. It will catch the larger bits of debris. Then put the noodles, then the carbon. Which one is "on top" depends on the type of filter and the path of water through the filter. Ideally, you want the water to go through wool, noodles then carbon. That said, carbon is usually a waste of time and money in most aquariums because it loses its effectiveness VERY quickly. I never use the stuff and haven't in 20 years.

  It takes about 6 weeks for a tank to cycle because that is how long it takes for the various populations of bacteria to grow and stabilize. There are some products that will attempt to speed this up by essentially putting a slug of the bacteria into your tank. Some of these work, some do not. Personally, I would just figure on it taking 6 weeks. During that time, it is a good idea to do small regular water changes. 50% is too much at once. You would be much better to do 25% every few days. You should be able to feed the fish everyday. Feed them only what they will eat right away. Never put in extra food for them to "eat later". That will rot and spoil your water faster than anything.

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>

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