Disaster Has Struck!

[Gilli]

Help! I have an undergravel filter in my 16 gallon tank which has been great for the past 9 months I have had the tank up and running. However on cleaning out the gunk from underneath the filter when I put one of the air tubes back in the plastic tray broke which has resulted in gravel being sucked up one tube!

As I will have to replace the filter system I have decided not to get another undergravel so now im needing some advise please. I have a fibreglass rock formation 3 d background which if possible I would like to put the filter behind. Firstly would this be ok and if so can anyone recomment one thats fairly slim? If not then i would like to use an external filter that hangs on the outside of the tank as my tank isnt on a cabinet its on a metal frame, but I have absolutely no knowledge of any filters as all ive ever used is an undergravel. Are these complicated?

Also im worried that the bacteria is going to suffer as my undergravel isnt working to full capacity now its broken. The other air tube is fine. When I get the new filter I obvioulsy will have to run it for a month to seed. How will I know when the new filter is ready so that I can dismantle the tank? I will want to do this to clean thoroughly under the filter tray if i have to start again anyway. I do a weekly 30% water change - should i step this up? Also when I do dismantle the tank should I clean the gravel or just rinse in the tank water?

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[ILuvTropicalFish]

Help! I have an undergravel filter in my 16 gallon tank which has been great for the past 9 months I have had the tank up and running. However on cleaning out the gunk from underneath the filter when I put one of the air tubes back in the plastic tray broke which has resulted in gravel being sucked up one tube!

As I will have to replace the filter system I have decided not to get another undergravel so now im needing some advise please. I have a fibreglass rock formation 3 d background which if possible I would like to put the filter behind. Firstly would this be ok and if so can anyone recomment one thats fairly slim? If not then i would like to use an external filter that hangs on the outside of the tank as my tank isnt on a cabinet its on a metal frame, but I have absolutely no knowledge of any filters as all ive ever used is an undergravel. Are these complicated?

Also im worried that the bacteria is going to suffer as my undergravel isnt working to full capacity now its broken. The other air tube is fine. When I get the new filter I obvioulsy will have to run it for a month to seed. How will I know when the new filter is ready so that I can dismantle the tank? I will want to do this to clean thoroughly under the filter tray if i have to start again anyway. I do a weekly 30% water change - should i step this up? Also when I do dismantle the tank should I clean the gravel or just rinse in the tank water?

Any advise would be appreciated.

I use external HOB filters for all my freshwater tanks. The Tetra Whisper filters have given me no problems. Maybe someone else can recommend another one. Try Drs Foster and Smith's website. I am sure you will find something that will suit your needs.

What kind of fish do you keep? Are they sensitive to water fluctuations?

As for the changeover, I think that running the new filter for a month to get it seeded is a great. I would also recommend a gravel vacuum. IME you could remove the plastic tray and gravel vac the gunk in a 20-30% water change. Then let the water settle, test your water regularly for a few days to be sure the balance is not upset. I would not worry about cleaning the rock other than the gravel vac as it hold some beneficial bacteria. I hope this helps!

 

[Gilli]

Thank you for your reply.

Anyone else please? Still need the answer to -

I have a fibreglass rock formation 3 d background which if possible I would like to put the filter behind. Firstly would this be ok and if so can anyone recomment one thats fairly slim? If not then i would like to use an external filter that hangs on the outside of the tank as my tank isnt on a cabinet its on a metal frame, but I have absolutely no knowledge of any filters as all ive ever used is an undergravel. Are these complicated?

and -

How will I know when the new filter is ready so that I can dismantle the tank?

Am I right in thinking once the new filter has seeded I can start the tank afresh with a complete water change and clean gravel and it will be OK??

 

[Truck]

take your pump out and access the impeller, then clean out any gravel in the manifolds and from where the impeller is

 

[Gilli]

take your pump out and access the impeller, then clean out any gravel in the manifolds and from where the impeller is

I dont have a pump - I have an undergravel filter!

 

[Gilli]

Anyone please?

 

[WILDER]

Best of posting this thread over in tropical discussion more members go over there.
Just copy and paste your thread.