Change From Ugf To Internal Filter

[fionah]

I have been cycling my tank for a couple of weeks and have just bought 4 corydoras who are settling in nicely.

I have an UGF but would like to change this to an internal filter instead.

Is it necessary to remove the UGF plate? I'd have to take out all the plants, ornaments and gravel.

Is it safe to replace the UGF directly with the internal filter or does it require some sort of transition period? I'm worried about affecting the bacterial growth that has built up on the UGF so far.

Also, I was hoping to find a filter with an inbuilt air pump so that I can get rid of the existing noisy external air pump. Any recommendations?

 

[england]

what i would do is leave the undergravel filter working and add the new internal filter,leaving the undergravel filter working until the internals seeded,,,about 5weeks, dont add any more fish in this period

 

[guppy_man]

what i would do is leave the undergravel filter working and add the new internal filter,leaving the undergravel filter working until the internals seeded,,,about 5weeks, dont add any more fish in this period

yep thats what you should do

 

[england]

make sure tanks fully cycled before you add more fish, because you will find you will have deaths and start panicking

 

[fionah]

make sure tanks fully cycled before you add more fish, because you will find you will have deaths and start panicking

Oh dear I've messed this up haven't I. I was hoping to get more fish in a lot sooner than that.