switching hobs

[JENUINE]

I have a 55 gal w/2 AquaTech 30-60 filters and have been reading about AquaClear filters. Am thinking of switching out one as the idea of the stackable inserts seems a better idea. I have a bubbler/heater/artificial plants and my nitrates are a little too high (10-20), ph 7.6. Been losing a fish now and then and after having tried various methods to lower both, finally gave up. Stocking fish are: 1 bloodfin tetra, 2 dwarf gouramis, 1 upside down cat, 1 large apple snail, 1 golden apple snail, 2 lemon tetras, 3 danios, 5 albino cory, 3 panda cory, 3 other corys (?), 1 silver tip tetra, 6 serpae tetras, 1 otto, 2 rosy barbs, and newly (can't find) albino bristlenose pleco I know my schooling numbers are off, but over the course of time (3 years) some have died.
Would the switch over to another type of filter have any advantages, or any suggestions?:11:

[Michael Milligan]

my nitrates are a little too high (10-20), ph 7.6. Been losing a fish now and then and after having tried various methods to lower both, finally gave up.

Water change...


Would the switch over to another type of filter have any advantages, or any suggestions?:11:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I don't use filter inserts for my tanks anymore. There is a screen or sponge that is intended to be a biological filter, and I just stuff some poly wool in for mechanical filtration.

[Lady Hobbs]

Nitrates are fine anywhere below 20.

Normal for a fish to die now and then in the course of 3 years.

[DrNic]

I agree with the others. It sounds like your setup is pretty stable at the moment. Unless you're having some kind of problem with your filtration I wouldn't change anything, you risk killing more of your fish during the switchover if the tank mini-cycles suddenly. Aside from that fish will die from time to time, it happens.

I would just do water changes every week or so and keep an eye on levels. If you get some hearty plants that might also help keep the water chemistry buffered a little. They always seem to make the fish happier.

[Northernguy]

What have you used to lower your nitrates?
Water changes work best and are easiest on the fish.Just make sure you change enough water at a time. Thats why we recommend 50% to everyone.
Those chemical additives that lower trates or anything else for that matter can be replaced by just doing a good water change.
Changing the filter should not cause much of a mini cycle.Just make sure you add some of the used media to the new filter and run them both for a month.The ac will build up enough bacteria to hold the cycle by then.Tests and watwer changes when ever necessary.
You may even decide to keep running two filters like that when you see the difference in your tank.lol