Removing internal filter

[garf]

Hi

New to the hobby. I have a 180 litre tank that came with an internal filter. Because I am a complete tech geek I decided immediately that I wanted a better filter so upgraded to an external filter. Right now there is nothing in the tank but wood, plants and substrate and I fully understand the need to let it cycle.

However, what I'd like to do now is remove the internal filter. I assume it's glued (siliconed?) to the corner of the tank somehow. Is there a way of loosening the adhesive or breaking the contact between tank and filter so I can get it out?

Thanks

 

[Magnum Man]

Glass or acrylic???

 

[garf]

Glass or acrylic???

glass

 

[Magnum Man]

glass panels are typically are put together with silicone, which will cut pretty good, with a razor knife... you'll need to be really careful, cutting at the seam between the sides and the bottom... it would be safest, if you could attach a picture... I'm pretty sure I know what you are talking about, but I'm not familiar with that model...

I'm doing similar with an acrylic, & I'm modifying that as an aeration chamber...

 

[Essjay]

Is this a Juwel tank? If it is, the filter is held by 2 blobs of silicone at the top of each side touching the glass, and two at the bottom on each side, total 8 blobs. You need to cut through two of the top blobs on the same side, easing the casing away from the glass; then do the bottom two on the same side. Next the other top two then the last bottom two.

When I removed the filter from my Juwel tank I sacrificed a long thin kitchen knife. That worked fine, even with the tank half full of water - I removed it after there were fish in there.

 

[garf]

glass panels are typically are put together with silicone, which will cut pretty good, with a razor knife... you'll need to be really careful, cutting at the seam between the sides and the bottom... it would be safest, if you could attach a picture... I'm pretty sure I know what you are talking about, but I'm not familiar with that model...

I'm doing similar with an acrylic, & I'm modifying that as an aeration chamber...

yeah that's a really good point. I literally hadn't considered the silicone seal in the corner.....

 

[garf]

Is this a Juwel tank? If it is, the filter is held by 2 blobs of silicone at the top of each side touching the glass, and two at the bottom on each side, total 8 blobs. You need to cut through two of the top blobs on the same side, easing the casing away from the glass; then do the bottom two on the same side. Next the other top two then the last bottom two.

When I removed the filter from my Juwel tank I sacrificed a long thin kitchen knife. That worked fine, even with the tank half full of water - I removed it after there were fish in there.

yep, you guessed right. I'll find some appropriate implements tomorrow and give it a go !

 

[Essjay]

Just keep the blade away from the sealant holding the two panes of glass together.......

There will be bits of black silicone left on the tank walls. I found a stanley knife blade held at an angle to the glass removed most of it without scratching.

 

[garf]

Success ! Thanks Guys