Juwel Internal Filters

[dilou]

First of all I would like to say Hi to everyone, i've just joined and this is my 1st post, sorry but it's going to be a bit of a moan...lol...

I have a Juwel Rio 180 which (as i'm sure most of you know)comes fitted with a boxy internal filter, I also have a Eheim Ecco external filter running. I've had this tank about 8 months and was going to remove the internal once the years warranty is up and add another external, but after recent events im doing it asap...let me explain

About a 2 or 3 months after setting up the tank i noticed a clown loach was missing (1 of 3) I looked everywhere for it and couldn't find it anywhere so gave up. About 3 months later I saw him behind the grill of the filter, I couldn't believe it and have no idea how he got in there, then spent about an hour trying to rescue him, which i did successfully and he was fine. About a week ago i noticed 2 of my clowns were missing and checked the box again and they were in there, unfortunately 1 was dead and he is stuck fast, i've been trying for 3 hours to get him out and i can't, the other 1 has been rescued.

I'm going to order a new external but until it arrives i have to leave the dead loach in the filter, my question is will this be ok?, I have a liquid test kit so I can monitor levels daily.

Sorry for the long post but any help is appreciated.

Thanks again

Di

 

[holidayinn]

I would try to take the Clown Loach out as the decomposing body may result in an ammonia spike.

 

[dilou]

Thanks for the quick reply, I totally agree with you but i've had a nightmare trying to get him out, I think i'll have another coffee and try again....Cheers

 

[OohFeeshy]

It's not the end of the world if you can't, just do more smaller water changes and keep an eye on the fish (make sure they aren't breathing heavily etc.).

 

[Haych]

when you say an external eheim, what version?

oh, and welcome!

 

[Mr Spoon]

Hi. Is the filter lid missing ?

 

[marksayer10@tiscali.co.uk]

hi. i asked a very simlar question a few weeks ago with no reply. i have a jewel rio 300. i wanted to take the internal filter out and just run on my ehiem wet / dry external filter and if it would be powerful enough. if you got a fairly powerful filter i dont think you would have a problem.

 

[zuulan]

I'm going to order a new external but until it arrives i have to leave the dead loach in the filter, my question is will this be ok?

Hi Di and welcome,

Did you know those boxes can be completely removed? They are stuck on very well to the glass but they do come off with a bit of force.

They take up quite a bit of space and if you ain't gonna use the filter then that's quite a waste of space.

Strange how your loaches got in there yet couldn't get out. The only problem I have with mine is snails in them.

Good Luck!

 

[dilou]

Ok, first of all thanks for all your replies, much appreciated. When I tried to remove my clown the second time he wasn't actually dead as i'd first thought, he must have been playing dead to stop me trying to rescue him...lol...I've got him out safe and sound, also one of my female bettas was in the filter, she must've snuck in while i was trying my first rescue attempt.

I have no idea how the clowns got in there, the filter does have the lid on it so I really have not got a clue. The reason I haven't removed the internal filter is because I didn't want to invalidate the warranty, was gonna wait till the year was up incase of any leaks, but now I don't care, I just want the thing out of there..lol..

The external filter is the Eheim Ecco, I think its the 2232, not sure but I know its the smallest of the ecco range, I think it filters up to 150l (i had it on my previous 90l tank) so just wanted to add another to make sure I have enough filtration.

Thanks again for all your help, i've tried to reply to all your questions but as i'm new to this forum im not sure how to do it individually.

Just to clarify, all fish have been saved and seem ok.

Cheers Di

 

[Haych]

hi Di,

as its only slightly under what you need, it would do a tempoary measure

 

[nate uk]

The way the tank is build is very nice but the equipment you get with the tanks are horrible! When I got my Juwel Rekord 600 the first thing I did was take the Juwel filter out.

 

[dilou]

Looks like i'm going to be busy trying to remove the box then. Is it easy to do? Is there a knack to it or is it just a case of patience and being very careful?

 

[Mr Spoon]

I just pulled my juwel filter out with a little force. It's held in place with 8 blobs of silicone in each corner of the filter. You may need to cut through the silicone with a flat knife between the filter and the glass being carefull not to scratch the glass.