How often should I maintain my tank? part I

Well this hobby can be really easy to maintain if you keep up with your chores.  Every tank is different and run differently but you can apply the same rules to all set-ups.  It's easier to break down the maintenance if you separate them.  I recommend a journal or a simple notebook to write down the days you need to clean your tank or change your media.  I myself keep a record on my phone and alerts me when it's time for some tune up.  

I run Filter Floss, Purigen and Chemi-Pure in my Mediabasket. 

I replace my Filter Floss every week, Purigen is recommend to be change every 6 months or until the beads exhaust and turn brown/dark.  The Chemi-Pure, according to the manufacturer is suppose to be change every 6 months as well, suggestions by other forum members and hobbyist suggest 3-4 months.  I look at it as depending how my tank looks and its bio-load, usually lasts me from 4-6 months.  Since this tank is fairly recent I used the Chemi-Pure Nano when I set it and let the tank cycle. Once my ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates where 0, it was time to get rid of it and replace it with a regular size 6.5oz.  Now I will place a memo on my phone to remind me to within  4 months to check the status on how it's doing.  

So being that I'm replacing my Chemi-Pure I figure I might as well check my Purigen and since my Filter Floss is schedule to be replace I start doing my changes.

Now as you can see my Purigen has turned brown and it's exhausted so it's time to remove.  The Purigen can be either replace or wash under a certain process to bring it back to life(I will discuss this on a later blog).  

As you can see we are ready to go. I then turn off my pumps and proceed to start scraping and cleaning my glass.  Any detritus will fall on the substrate and here is where your siphon tube is good for. I myself do a 10% water change.  You wanna make sure to siphon your substrate and pass on lightly enough to not disturb your sand.   I use a turkey baster to blast any detritus on rock surfaces. Now that you siphon your water it's time to replenish your tank.

I have my water ahead of time, it's always good to be prepare, either if you buy or make your water mix.  I use a 5gl container I bought at Home Depot to store my prepared water, I leave a heater and powerhead to get the right temp to match with my tank.  Once the desire temperature is achieve I start to fill in the tank.

I use a Maxi-Jet pump I have laying around to start filling the back of my tank.  I always place the hose starting on the back chambers to avoid any disruption on my aqua scape and corals.
Next step is to turn back on your pumps and your set to go for your next maintenance schedule.

 (Next upcoming blog... maintenance part II, taking pumps, skimmers, and powerheads and giving them a good scrub)

MediaBaskets

Super excited about this product.  I used to owned the inTank mediabasket for the 12 gl nano dx.  It's a space saver in my chambers and not too mention is easier to maintain and clean.  Now all of you that have a JBJ 28 gl nano are going to say why do I need this if it comes with the 28 series.  Well my friends, as you can see the quality and craftsmanship on how this item is made speaks for itself.    

Comparing this two mediabasket side by side, you can tell by the nature of the material use.  It's build to fit snugly inside the chamber.  The inTank mediabasket has larger chambers to perfectly fit your media.  Both brackets and back wall force the water to go straight into and flow towards the middle.  No more water escaping on the sides or bouncing off to the back anymore.

I got all my basic media that's going to assist me on keeping this tank running to its top shape.  I got filter floss on 1st chamber, SeaChem Purigen on 2nd chamber, Chemi Pure Elite on 3rd chamber, and a little bit of seachem phosguard since I notice some hair algae(will only keep there for 3days).  I love the way the 3rd chamber is large enough for in the future if I want to rearrange my media, I can add chaeto and a submersible light. The sliding wall slides out easy to access your media.

So as you can see the bracket mounts on the back and fits perfectly, water is push straight down to pass through the middle.  It's easily accessible and slides out without no problem.  I have to say that Stevie T sure did a great quality job on this mediabasket.