Bloo
~ I learn something new ~ ~~~~ every day ~~~~
So many people seem to ask this time and time again.
As I've done this, I'll just post my summary here - so that I have an easy reference to refer to.
I have removed my Juwel filter without any problem whatsoever - it took less than 5 minutes
(well not quite, but almost) and I did not have to strip or empty the tank
- Make sure all electricity to your tank is off.
- Remove approx 50% of the water (keep this).
- Remove all inner filter sponges & heater (and keep in the 50% water that's been siphoned off; while you remove filter. Take care not to clean the sponges - it's vital to keep as much of the beneficial bateria for your new filter).
- Get yourself a "snap-off-blade" Stanley knife(these work best as you can extend the blade and it's quite flexible).
- The Juwel Filters have 4 blobs of 1" silicone on each side attached to the tank (back & left).
- Start with the top front blobs and use the knife in a "sawing" motion to slice through the silicone. Then do the back top blobs.
- Then the bottom front.
- By this time you can almost just gently pull the filter forward, enough to reach the back 2 blobs (side and left).
- Once filter is removed, you can use a (unused or fish dedicated) pot scouring pad to remove any remaining silicone.
Note: Take great care not to let the blade slice into the actual tank seal silicone !
Place all Juwel sponges in new external filter, plug and ply and bob's your uncle
Ps: you can still use your internal Juwel heater - just buy a Heater Guard
My reasons for removing it:
1 - It's very large and unsightly
2 - More importantly it must be one of the most annoying filters to clean and maintain. I found that on my Juwel Vision 180, I had to ensure the filter was checked on a weekly basis and rinse sludge, debris and mulm out or else it would grind to a halt (well not quite but the water flow was extremely poor and I always had particles in the water). I found it quite hard to stick the siphon down those bits at the back right down to the bottom to suck out the gunk. There's a lot of dead space where plant matter etc. just accumulates and rots even though my plants rarely "shed" any leaves etc.
3 - That silly lid design on top is just plain stupid. I've lost a Kuhli loach that got mangled in there (not a nice sight) and two bettas also made there way in there - and all the way down those shafts. The came out a complete mess by the time I discovered where they were. And yes, my water level was correct and yes, the little lid supposedly sat on top correctly.
Sorry, but I'm not a Juwel Filter fan and since I switched to my external Eheim, life's been bliss and the maintenance a dream
As I've done this, I'll just post my summary here - so that I have an easy reference to refer to.
I have removed my Juwel filter without any problem whatsoever - it took less than 5 minutes
(well not quite, but almost) and I did not have to strip or empty the tank
- Make sure all electricity to your tank is off.
- Remove approx 50% of the water (keep this).
- Remove all inner filter sponges & heater (and keep in the 50% water that's been siphoned off; while you remove filter. Take care not to clean the sponges - it's vital to keep as much of the beneficial bateria for your new filter).
- Get yourself a "snap-off-blade" Stanley knife(these work best as you can extend the blade and it's quite flexible).
- The Juwel Filters have 4 blobs of 1" silicone on each side attached to the tank (back & left).
- Start with the top front blobs and use the knife in a "sawing" motion to slice through the silicone. Then do the back top blobs.
- Then the bottom front.
- By this time you can almost just gently pull the filter forward, enough to reach the back 2 blobs (side and left).
- Once filter is removed, you can use a (unused or fish dedicated) pot scouring pad to remove any remaining silicone.
Note: Take great care not to let the blade slice into the actual tank seal silicone !
Place all Juwel sponges in new external filter, plug and ply and bob's your uncle
Ps: you can still use your internal Juwel heater - just buy a Heater Guard
My reasons for removing it:
1 - It's very large and unsightly
2 - More importantly it must be one of the most annoying filters to clean and maintain. I found that on my Juwel Vision 180, I had to ensure the filter was checked on a weekly basis and rinse sludge, debris and mulm out or else it would grind to a halt (well not quite but the water flow was extremely poor and I always had particles in the water). I found it quite hard to stick the siphon down those bits at the back right down to the bottom to suck out the gunk. There's a lot of dead space where plant matter etc. just accumulates and rots even though my plants rarely "shed" any leaves etc.
3 - That silly lid design on top is just plain stupid. I've lost a Kuhli loach that got mangled in there (not a nice sight) and two bettas also made there way in there - and all the way down those shafts. The came out a complete mess by the time I discovered where they were. And yes, my water level was correct and yes, the little lid supposedly sat on top correctly.
Sorry, but I'm not a Juwel Filter fan and since I switched to my external Eheim, life's been bliss and the maintenance a dream
