New Filter Help !

[Craig89]

Hi everyone, got a question for you. I recieved my new (2nd hand) filter today, it's come from a heathy well established marine tank. The bacteria is still alive and I was wondering if I could use straight away on my new tropical tank. I not is it safe to transfer my mature media from my fluval 3 to the new tetratec ex1200 and then add the stock from my old tank to the new one straight away ?

 

[mattlee]

Hi everyone, got a question for you. I recieved my new (2nd hand) filter today, it's come from a heathy well established marine tank. The bacteria is still alive and I was wondering if I could use straight away on my new tropical tank. I not is it safe to transfer my mature media from my fluval 3 to the new tetratec ex1200 and then add the stock from my old tank to the new one straight away ?

if its come from a marine tank then it will need a very good clean out before adding to a tropical tank im affraid... after giving it a clean including pipework etc, maybe worth buying new pipes as they arent expensive, then adding your media to the filter should be ok and will still be cycled to your current stocking. just remember to get the new tank up to temp before adding the fish and filter

 

[Curiosity101]

Agree with matt. The filter (and any pipework) will need a very very thorough cleaning to remove any traces of salt. Then once that's done just pop your mature media into it and move the fish over to the new tank.

 

[Craig89]

Ok mate I new it wouldn't be simple lol all the media in the new filter is nearly brand new is ok to say wash all and then boil and then reuse ? Or is just a good wash ok ?

 

[mattlee]

if its been used on a marine setup then i would personally buy new just to be safe.

 

[Craig89]

I'm skint that's the problem lol

 

[Curiosity101]

Seeing as it's only really salt that's the major difference I'd get a bucket of very hot water and soak all the media in there. Rinse and repeat a few times. Do the same with the pipes etc, also if you could get a bottle brush down them that'd be good. Tie a length of string to each side of the bottle brush (about the length of piping. And pull it backwards n forwards both ways. Once you're happy you've cleaned it enough that it's salt free then it should be fine... however don't take my word for it...

 

[mattlee]

I'm skint that's the problem lol

try ebay, i got a job lot of eheim media of 3 types for about £10 brand new

if thats no good then you could try boiling the media but im not sure if it will withstand the temps maybe try a few bits and see. but obviously the sponges will melt at that temp.....

 

[Craig89]

What I nightmare lol I've looked at eBay and it gunna cost me another £25 to get everything for it

 

[Craig89]

Can I use some fairy liquid wen I'm cleaning the filter ?

 

[Curiosity101]

I would stick to just hot water. Salt is soluble, you might just need to give it a scrub if it's stuck on in any sort of thickness.

 

[Craig89]

It's noting too bad I've just run the bath full of hot water n banged all the internals in there

 

[Craig89]

So after all that it turns out all the filter pads are brand new it was just the bio ball things that wernt but I've thrown them away will just get some more. All internals have been soaking for 2 hours now so going to rinse and see what they are like