Filter Question

[ron4sum1]

When I get my Fluval U2 filter soon, what do I do? I'm currently using a stringray filter with carbon/zeolite cartridge.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, will my fish survive despite having a new filter? Or do I have to run the 2 filters at the same time until some bacteria grows on the Fluval U2 foam?

In case I remove the Stingray filter, will there be bacteria in the water that'll convert the ammonia to nitrites? So my fish would stay unharmed?

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

Hiya mate, i would be tempted to run both for a month or so and let your fluval U2 cycle. Banging a brand new filter in a mature tank will cause no end of problems. There is next to no bacteria in the water, it's mainly all in the filter so you will have to deal with ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

 

[Mowbz]

I just posted another answer on another thread. Post them all together its easier! lol

To seed the filter, youll need to;

Open the top of the U2 Filter
Take out the two outer light blue media cartridges.

Both will have two filters in, a thin back carbon layer (has few uses, see other thread) and a white sponge layer.

Take both out, on both cartridges
Refill the gaps with mature media from your current filter, including the space where the carbon was.
Keep the carbon for removing meds in future

The middle box is full of ceramic tubes. As per other thread, might be worth buying more, they're pretty stingy.

Put all boxes back on, run in tank for a few hours
Check levels

Introduce fish using normal acclimatising method.

 

[ron4sum1]

Thanks for the help guys!

By the way, what do you mean when you said "they're stingy, so buy more ceramic tubes"? How often must I replace it? Or do I need to add more ceramic tubes?

I don't really understand much about adding the mature media in the filter. Do you mean, remove the plastic sponge from my stingray and put it inside the fluval? Wouldn't that not allow my new sponge in the fluval to build up some bacteria colony on it?

Sorry, English isn't my first language! Feel free to ask if my questions don't make sense~

 

[minnnt]

You got it mate, seeding the fiter is exactly that. But if you don't want to do that then run both filters for a month or two.

 

[Louiseness]

Thanks for the help guys!

By the way, what do you mean when you said "they're stingy, so buy more ceramic tubes"? How often must I replace it? Or do I need to add more ceramic tubes?

I don't really understand much about adding the mature media in the filter. Do you mean, remove the plastic sponge from my stingray and put it inside the fluval? Wouldn't that not allow my new sponge in the fluval to build up some bacteria colony on it?

If you put the sponge from the stingray into the fluval you shouldn't NEED to grow bacteria because they will already be on the old sponge! So you'll be 'cycled' right from the second you put it in, in theory.

Also, the bacteria will grow on the ceramic tubes too, so the more tubes you have, the more bacteria the filter can hold. You don't really ever need to replace them.

 

[Essjay22 137]

By the way, what do you mean when you said "they're stingy, so buy more ceramic tubes"? How often must I replace it? Or do I need to add more ceramic tubes?

The English language as we speak it is full of words you won't find in a dictionary.
Stingy, in this case, means the manufacturer doesn't include enough ceramic tubes to fill that section so you have to buy more of them. Once you have enough they'll last for years so they won't need replacing.

 

[ron4sum1]

By the way, what do you mean when you said "they're stingy, so buy more ceramic tubes"? How often must I replace it? Or do I need to add more ceramic tubes?

The English language as we speak it is full of words you won't find in a dictionary.
Stingy, in this case, means the manufacturer doesn't include enough ceramic tubes to fill that section so you have to buy more of them. Once you have enough they'll last for years so they won't need replacing.

Ah that makes sense Thanks! I haven't seen what the Fluval U2 would look like yet. I'm tempted to google it but I want to get surprised !

Thanks everyone for the contribution!