New Tank + Filter

[Gallesh]

Hi Everyone,

I've just upgraded from a 65 ltr tank to a 125. I'm a bit unsure what to do with the filter. At the moment i'm running them both at the same time. Would it be better to just put all my old filter media in the new filter and slowly change it over time as the tank gets better? Do think my tank might have gone back into a mini cycle.

Thanks for the help.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Are you planning to move all the 65l inhabitants over to the 125l and leave the 65l empty for now?

If so, you should in theory be able to move the 65l filter over to the 125l with the fish and have no ammonia or nitrite issues, but I would suggest doing regular test in the few couple of weeks or so just in case. Depending upon the fish you have and the size of the mature and new filters, you could leave them permanently running side by side, if you are happy that all your fish are lovers of current. If your long term aim is just to use the new filter in the 125l tank, you could continue to run them side by side for say 6 weeks (to help ensure some bacteria move over to the new filter), or simply move the mature filter media over to the new filter, cutting if required.

 

[Gallesh]

Yeah i've moved everything over to the new tank a part from the gravel, moved to sand now.

My old filter is a Fluval U2 and the new one which came with the tank is a Fluval U3. I'll keep them running side by side for a few weeks and see how it goes and keep an eye on it.

Need to work out what am going to do with all this new space now!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Being different models of the same brand filter should make things very simple as and when you ever think about moving media, plus I do like the multiple modes of the U-series. I've still yet to try it, but you can place the filter horizontally just below the water surface and use "mode B" to create a gentle spraybar effect rippling effect.

My only bad experiences with these are that I lost an uncommon African Tetra (Phenacogrammus cf. nigropterus) recently when it got trapped between two suction cups and was then attacked by my cichlid youngsters (a good while ago something similar happened to a Pearl Danio, but "Mr Stumpy" recovered and regrew his tail fin), plus earlier this week having moved the filters I was horrified to find a poor Upside Down Catfish had somehow got inside the flip lid (which had become loose) and above the waterline.

 

[Gallesh]

Didn't know that about been able to turn it horizontally, might have to try that at some point. I had that problem as well, one of mine got stuck between the suction cups, was look about for ages for it and just found it upright stuck there. My betta does seem to like to sit next to the intake which makes a mess of his fins but they are growing back well now.

wonder how your catfish managed to get inside there, sorry to hear about that.