Changing Whole Filter And Not Just Foam

[comet30]

Hi guys,

You have been very helpful before and I sure will help people when I can although I am still new to tropicals.

I have been running my fish tank now for about three months. I am fully stocked and cycled.

Recent water tests have been good, no nitrite or ammonia but quite high Nitrate. Also, my water has become cloudy. (I have the bloom months ago)

I feel that some of my problems are coming from a poor stock filter that came with my tank. Currently I am running an Elite Jet Flo 100 Filter for my 95 Litre tank but have just bought a Fluval U3 which I am hoping will sort a lot out. Can anyone advise the best way to swap them over? I am guessing that I will need to run both for a while whilst my new filter builds up the appropriate bacteria but would like some advice here.

Also, is it really best to ever change the filter media or just clean it in tank water? I ask this as I have been given conflicting answers and would like to do the best thing here.

Finally, I made an error with my gravel. It's the multicoloured stuff and looks awful. Also, its not really fine enough for my loaches or catfish to dig about in. Is there anyway of gradually replacing the gravel to either sand or a finer, nice colour gravel? My idea was to take out some gravel and use a long funnel to replace with new stuff without disturbing the water too much but not sure if anyone has tried this?

Sorry, One more thing. My stock tank came with one light, a T8 Sun-Glo Bulb at 20 watts (60 Centimetres). It doesn't seem all that impressive although most of my live plants seem fine. I am thinking of upgrading to an Aqua Glo as it seems to be a better bulb for a tank with one bulb. Can anyone advise here?

Many thanks

 

[walkers101]

first things first with the filter you have 2 options you can like you said run both at the same time or just swap the media from your old filter to your new U3

i personally just clean my sponges in tank water every 3-6 months (never tap water!)

with the gravel in the past i drained the tank removed the old gravel put new gravel in and replaced the water its the easiest way (just remember to wash the new gravel first unless you want a cloudy tank)

hope that helps someone else will be along to add to this im sure

 

[mattlee]

with bottom feeders like loaches i would go for a sand substrate, its more barbel friendly and your fish will prefer it. just be sure to wash well before adding to the tank.