Help! How Do We Change The Central Filter Media?

[squashedfrog77]

Hi guys,

Our filter is on the blink, the central filter media is pretty much hosed, as its been covered in silt for a while and despite rinsing it in the water we have taken out during water changes, its now seizing up and the filter is struggling. we have bought a new central filter but someone has said that if we put it in immediately it will kill off all the good bacteria and kill the fish.

Pump is on its last legs and we go away on holiday tomorrow!!!!!!


HELPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[loachman]

what type of filter? and what media?

 

[squashedfrog77]

It's a Fluval 3+ in tank filter, the two pieces of wide gap sponge either side are fine a bit grubby but gave them a quick rinse in tank water. The central media has degenerated badly due to all the silt and algae has been through it amd turned it into a mush. This is stopping the water flow from moving well in the pump, the impeller is also catching on the filter.

What I think we need to do is to put new media into the centre however this obviously loses the bactaria on that media, is there anyway to grow the bacteria before we add it in there. One option I thought was to replace the central media in 2 halves.

 

[tom_os]

as it is only a small part of the total filter media it should be fine and even though you will losse some bacteria as long as you replace it with some new there will be very little effect on the water

 

[squashedfrog77]

Ok gone for the change will keep an eye on the water and see ho it goes.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

 

[Tolak]

Get a small air pump & a box filter. Put the shot media in the box filter, run it along side the Fluval & new media for a few weeks. Gradually cut the air flow to the box filter with the old media, over about a week, until there is no air flow. Toss out the old media, save the air pump & box filter.