Swapping Filters

[SJ2K]

I know its probably been asked a few times but its hard to find a clear answer in here for this.

I want to replace my juwel internal with an eheim external, how can I do this successfuly without ballsing up my bacteria load?

All suggestions will be appreciated

 

[eschaton]

Have double filtration for a few weeks.

 

[SJ2K]

Heard this is pritty unafective as the amount of ammonia available for bacteria growth is so limited.

 

[Ian H]

put the old media in with the new filter?

 

[SJ2K]

Thought about it but there going to be 2 completly different forms of media (sponge to ceramic rings).

Its a puzzle for sure.

 

[Ian H]

ah no idea then, no idea what they even are!!

 

[demonmagus]

just use the sponge?

 

[SJ2K]

Im getting the general consensus that there is no idea solution, ill have to compromise.

Ta anyway everyone.

 

[Mr Bean]

Hi
I've just done this (Juwel int. changed for a Tetratec ext.) I ran them both for about 3 weeks,gradually reducing the media in the internal.
At the same time I took some sponge out of the internal,chopped it into 1 inch cubes and mixed them with the ceramics and balls in the external.
Completely removed the Juwel filter today,worked a treat.

 

[SJ2K]

Cool, how'd you remove all the silicon left by the juwel without having a tank full of it?

 

[Mr Bean]

There were only four dots of silicon most of which came away with some gentle persuasion (and a bread knife)
The remainder I removed with a window scraper which has a sharp stanley knife blade at the end.
Watch your fingers

 

[Alistriwen]

When we want to establish a new sponge we just put it in one of our larger more crowded tanks and let it run with the one in there a few weeks then we usually move out the older one to the new tank. Never had any problems under this system and by always having extra sponges going we never have to worry about waiting for tanks to cycle.

 

[Squid]

I replaced my juwel internal fitler with an eheim 2026 prof II.. I ran then together for 4 weeks, then removed the old juwel filter and had no problems doing this whatsoever. IMO, and experience, the bacteria colony will be strong enough by then to cope with the removal of the internal filter.

I used a bendy kind of snap off blade to get round the back, but guess what.. . it snapped and ended up in my knuckle. Blood and water doen't half make a mess.

So.. please, please be careful and choose your bendy thing blade carefully.!!! I resorted to a bendy junior hacksaw blade and a bit of elbow grease.

Cheers
Squid