Best Way Of Swapping Filters?

[bmonki]

I have a new external all pond solutions filter arriving tomorrow and was hoping there was a way of getting it started without the need for yet another fish in cycle? my small filter which is way too small for our load is fully cycled afaik, it has two carbon filled sponges and bio max noodles. any advice?

 

[Aquascaper]

Just load up all the removable media from the existing filter into the new one (preferably into the 1st chamber [bottom one]) and you should be fine. Run the new filter in the tank first to fill it with tank water before you start loading it up.

By putting the old media in the 1st chamber of the new filter it will help the beneficial bacteria spread to the rest of the new media faster.

HTH

 

[bmonki]

this may sound dumb... but how do i fill the filter up with tank water if i have to then take it apart again to put the media in? wont it just leak everywhere when i open it to load the stuff in?

 

[fluttermoth]

You can open the filter while it's full of water, as long as its not running, and you close the lever to the taps (you can't get them off until you do anyway).

Put your cycled media before you fill it up for the first time?

 

[bmonki]

^^ im sure that wil make more sense when i have the thing in front of me and can see exactly which bit you're talking about lol...

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, it probably will

Plenty of people have these filters, so there should be someone round, if not myself, who can talk you through it

 

[Aquascaper]

Put your cycled media before you fill it up for the first time?

If you transfer the old media over to a brand new, dry filter then that's more time for the bacteria to be exposed to air while you fill it. By pre-filling it with tank water you can take your time without worry as it is all submerged. Plus it allows you to check it's all in working order rather than transferring everything and then finding there's a problem and having to swap everything back.