New filter???

[Jo and Gra]

Currently running a 21gal 96 litres on a fluval 2 plus filter.


it keeps "blocking" within a week, and as such, the water flow drastically reduces.

we have an air pump running through a long air stone. so oxygen aint the issue, but we have to keep cleaning the filter. now i know you need to clean the filter, but we are cleaning this cos the pads are blocking.

we've got the normal pads, and the fine particle filter in.


would upgrading solve this?

and if we did upgrade, what should we upgrade to?

and how do we go about it to ensure we dont ruin our tank via bacteria deficiency etc?

 

[Bloo]

I have a similar setup - odd though that it keeps blocking on a weekly basis

. Though saying that, I clean my own on a weekly basis anyway, though there is no reduced output at all.
You sure you've checked the impeller shaft and washed the filterhead under a showerhead or something ?

If going external, you could either try a Fluval 104 external or go for one of the smaller Eheim

 

[Durbkat]

and if you go external (which I advise) you can get the whisper power filter 40 because it filters tanks from 20-40 gallons so it would be perfect for your tank and I even use it on my long 20g and it works great.

 

[Jo and Gra]

how do i do it though?

cycling issues?

 

[Durbkat]

Do what? Cycle the tank? Just put the filter you chose and let it run for two weeks without fish and get water tested and get the cheapest fish on your list that you want to get but only get a couple and add to it every week and test your water before you add one fish per week.

 

[Jo and Gra]

no no........i'm already cycled......

but how do i introduce a new filter...........

 

[JDS]

I'd think you'd be wanting to run both the old and the new filters at the same time for a couple of weeks if you can. That way you give the beneficial bacteria time to develop in the new one before removing the old one.
Wonder what's wrong with the old one tho

 

[modernhamlet]

no no........i'm already cycled......

but how do i introduce a new filter...........

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The ideal would be to remove the filter media from the fluval and place it in the new filter along with the new media. In a few weeks you can take the old media out. Or not, depending on the filter you get and how much space there is for media.

 

[Durbkat]

I didn't do anything special in my 10g when I found out that the filter wasn't strong enough for the waste load. All I did was get a bigger filter and took the old one out set the new one in and plugged it in. I didn't run both filters or anything. But what worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you but you can try it as long as their is no fish in their or you don't mind if the fish in their die by doing it.

 

[jfrancho]

I didn't do anything special in my 10g when I found out that the filter wasn't strong enough for the waste load. All I did was get a bigger filter and took the old one out set the new one in and plugged it in. I didn't run both filters or anything. But what worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you but you can try it as long as their is no fish in their or you don't mind if the fish in their die by doing it.

Do what? Cycle the tank? Just put the filter you chose and let it run for two weeks without fish and get water tested and get the cheapest fish on your list that you want to get but only get a couple and add to it every week and test your water before you add one fish per week.

I'm glad it worked for you, because your advice will undoubtably lead to trouble with most first time fishkeepers.

If you can seed the new filter with medium from the old filter, and run both for a few weeks, you should be fine. The idea is that if the new does not clog, then bacteria will grow readily and quickly in an established system. Aerobic nitrifying bacteria will grow anywhere there is dissolved nitrogenous waste, oxygen, surface area, and water flow. I'd also like to see you examine just what is clogging the current filter. Is it too much food? Rotting plants? Whatever it is, it is likely to clog the new filter.

 

[basia]

I upgraded my internal filter to a Fluval 204 and put the media from the internal into one of the baskets in the 204. The tank was full stocked at the time and I had no trouble at all, kept testing my water but everything was fine and Ididn't have to run 2 filters at the same time.
Good luck!

 

[Jo and Gra]

its just "gunk" clogging it......

could it be too much flake food?

 

[Bloo]

What sponges do you have on the inside ? Just the 2 course ones on either side, or have you added the floss pad or the carbon pad too ? Have you tried giving the "head" a good wash under a showerhead ? That usually works wonders and only takes a few seconds.
Do you have lots of plants ?

Edit: If you do decide to go for a new external filter, I recommend that you add the external and run if for a couple of weeks in conjunction with the existing internal. Then after a couple of weeks, just remove the "old" filter. Monitor your water though to make sure your tank doesn't go into a cycle - though it shouldn't really.

Or you could do what basia did - if the external filter has enough space for all your existing filter material.