Cleaning my 300 Gallon African Cichlid Tank

[@CC.Custom.Leatherworks]

You inspired me to get a Reegugu (L) size for my 90 gal and 55. I noticed how strong the magnet was, even though my 90 gal is acrylic and thicker- both have a strong magnet pull- your's however seems to flow much more smoothly with less drag or effort! Then, again, this is the first time I've scraped the glass by this method in quite a few years of use for each, so perhaps is some of the reason! Just as well, it succeeded in removing some stubborn algae growth on the lower glass of both... Something, until now I had not been able to deal with effectively. Thanks again, for sharing your tried and true methods. It makes all the difference in both extending my fishes lives and my enjoyment of fish keeping... Keep making your awesome vids, Ben!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you CC! I use Fritz glass cleaner and one of their claims is that it makes the outside glass smoother/slicker so it works better with magnetic cleaners. Just stay away from the substrate because if a piece gets trapped in the nylon mesh it will scratch your tank, especially acrylic.

[@XCaliKev]

👍😎 Tank looks great even as doing a water change. I don’t think it’s real, computers can do a lot these days. 🤭 When I do water changes my heaters are both plugged into a power strip, along with filters. I just turn it off, lights on different one.

[@Whey2010]

Kindly shoot me a list of your livestock...I would love to collect those Haplochromis African Cichlids you have eventually...highly appreciated 👍 Very valuable content...Keep the love alive Ben! We love you!

[@tamera6853]

Ben, I really appreciated this vid. You gave Excellent tips. Thanks!

[@seansquill8773]

Nice Routine. I do about 30-40% weekly Water changes in my 120 and 90 & 50 gallon . This is for South American Cichlids, mostly Geos. I leave my filters running and just dial down the FX6’s and 407’s to about 50%, I than unplug my hygger heaters, and I just use a Python and the only difference in what I do is I do a fairly deep vacuum into the Super Naturals CaribSea sand, I feel getting in there every week really keeps the sand looking pristine! I use Prime and a few caps Stability for every water change and throw in a few teaspoons of Aquarium salt with temp matched tap water. Been working for me for years so I see no need to change any of it. Once a month or so I’ll shut the filters completely and re start them just get any gunk out that’s stuck in the hoses👍🏼

[@BenOchart]

Solid routine!

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I pull a one gallon zip lock bag over the foam pre-filter before I remove it. No detritus enters the water column

[@cichlid_kings]

Nice maintenance program on that monster tank. Keeping everything routine definitely pays off in the pristine look & health of the tank 👌 😎 ✌️

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

Hey Ben here is a quick tip on cleaning pre-filter place for bag around it in the tank and no junk comes out in the water.

[@stuartberkowitz8598]

Hey Ben. Thanks for doing this. I recommend you look at Kasa smart plugs. Can control everything from your phone, no more unplugging. And acts as a timer

[@Saratrewob1]

Love the idea of attaching an additional hose to the output of the FX6 to make water changes that much easier to do. I have an fX4 on my 40g and have been using the pump exit port to do water changes for the last year, but I like the way you do it. It seems so much easier and less messy. I'll be trying this out... Thanks for the awesome tip.

[@MrPaulmilk]

Brilliant video 🐠🐟🐡🪼

[@dominic9279]

Let's watch... awesome 👌

[@paulneuman6021]

Great video really enjoyed watching !!!

[@lots33ml]

Hey, ben. Strange i do enjoy watching you doing the tank maintenance more than when i do it. Lol just kidding. On the heaters i have the same heaters as you and i shut off the power to them also better safe than sorry. Every time i see youre artificial plants from elite i want to kick myself although i did buy some plants from them, i didn't get enough or those exact one's you have. We seem to have similar tastes. Later, brother, see you Saturday

[@phillycichlids7304]

Hey Ben great video as always. But not to get off topic, do you lift weights ? Looking strong and well in shape man!😄💪🏼

[@BenOchart]

Did so in my youth😀

[@george230]

Would love to see u do matience on the sump. What brand tank is the 40 gallon sump. great video on the matience. Tank looks sharp.

[@BenOchart]

Coming soon!

[@paulneuman6021]

I do 30 gallon water changes in my heavily stocked 75's weekly.😁

[@BenOchart]

What are your water test results and more importantly how are the fish doing ?😀👍🏻

[@paulneuman6021]

My nitrates similar to yours go down ta 20 ppm after water change then up to 40 ppm before weekly maintenance

[@paulneuman6021]

Fish are doing awesome 👍

[@TheSalient1]

Ben do you use seachem cichlid lake salt in ur tanks?

[@TheSalient1]

Guess it helps to to watch the entire video before asking questions 😂

[@j.p.kuipers7226]

Hello Ben , there is a new Fluval FX 2 out, what do find from this baby FX filter, as fan from the FX 4,6, like to hear about your opinion, Like your video's and your tips, keep informing us about your maintenance thanks.greetings from Holland (Europe)

[@Jerry-lj3cf]

I have not seen this filter in the USA yet but I know it is coming soon.

[@American_King]

Good stuff Ben

[@danielgfrost]

Why dont you create a video on how to use SUMP FILTERS??? i never understand how they work..? why doesnt gravity flood the sump?? i would love to have more water in my system...please help?

[@BenOchart]

I will. There’s also a lot of info in my sump playlist here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoDqjZiWozK49-rqec9NxVcb

[@dominic9279]

I think just sticking to a third is pretty good

[@julielove8943]

Hi ben i have crushed coral in my canister filter have you any idea how long would you leave it before changing your thoughts would be appreciated

[@jp9646]

Question for you .I use a 35 gallon heavy duty plastic garbage can and i fill it half way up with tap water I find it easer to control water temp and ad de- chlorination that way with the use of a small pump to fill slowly. What is your opinion on a plastic can instead of right out of the tap?

[@BenOchart]

Plastic tubs were popular because they allowed chlorine to gas off. But now chloramine is used and it doesn’t gas off. So I temp match and treat the tank right from the tap with a Python hose and have never had a problem.

[@jwclau1]

This may be a stupid question but is there any way to measure the 'beneficial' bacteria in a tank? Nice job!

[@BenOchart]

Test kits can tell us if we have too little or enough for our bio load but not how much

[@jwclau1]

@@BenOchart do the tests differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' bacteria?

[@Rick-xy4bt]

Ben, are you using a Python to refill the tank?

[@BenOchart]

Yes, tap to tank

[@robertsowinski164]

Question for you sir, your FX6 pre-filter seems to have a small pickup as well as small sponge over it. Did they make changes to the FX6 that you know of? I have a 2-in by 3-in by 1 in pickup on mine and I don't have the same ability to use a pre-filter unless I custom make something. Your thoughts please.. And once again I love your content.

[@BenOchart]

I removed the factory large grill intake cover and drilled some holes in the pipe. So there’s some DIY modification prior to being able to use the pre-filter from Aquarium Co-Op. Several videos in this playlist go over it: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD

[@robertsowinski164]

@@BenOchart thank you that makes sense, I believe on the FX6 that I currently have it's a newer model as well because it has a back flush built in. So I can shut off the filter and switch a valve setting and through an additional hose that's already plumbed to the filter I can actually backflush the model I have. All my other canisters I have the ability though to install a pre filter on the intakes most are the Sun Sun 304s that I run in conjunction with powerheads or wave makers and sponge filters

[@carpet180]

Shouldn’t you stir up the sand so gas pockets don’t form and be deadly to fish if released? Or is this not true? I heard that years back from someone. Thanks.

[@BenOchart]

I have found that to not be the case in running deep substrates for a few years. I believe it might have come over from the salt water side???

[@carpet180]

Thank you.

[@michaelwhyte8529]

Heaps of scammers here . Get em gone Ben!

[@jeffhester1443]

You didn't do it right. You didn't at least carry one bucket, spill something or break something. Let's get back to basics.

[@BenOchart]

🤣🤣🤣I’ve certainly done it that way a few times🤣🤣🤣

[@gregorypeck2763]

I almost spit out my coffee! LOL.