Upgrading Filter Without Re-Cycling

[Alex.]

Hi guys

I'm looking to upgrade the filter in my 125l fluval tank for either a tetratec ex700 or a 1200.

In the long run I know this is better for my tank and fish, but how do I change filter without re-cycling or causing problems? The reason I ask is because it took me a good 6 weeks to fishless cycle my tank and now its stocked the idea of going backwards scares me!!

As a side note - do bigger filters like these actually suck up more crap from the tank? I'm hoping they do to help keep the water free of particles!

On and if I go for the 1200 - the pipes aren't going to be too big for my tank are they?!

Many thanks!

 

[Noahs ark6]

Hi guys

I'm looking to upgrade the filter in my 125l fluval tank for either a tetratec ex700 or a 1200.

In the long run I know this is better for my tank and fish, but how do I change filter without re-cycling or causing problems? The reason I ask is because it took me a good 6 weeks to fishless cycle my tank and now its stocked the idea of going backwards scares me!!

As a side note - do bigger filters like these actually suck up more crap from the tank? I'm hoping they do to help keep the water free of particles!

On and if I go for the 1200 - the pipes aren't going to be too big for my tank are they?!

Many thanks!

Try and put all the filter media from the current filter into the external filter. Yes, in general, the bigger the filter the cleaner the water because of the larger ammount of media and the wider variety of filter media options like polishing pads and carbon pads

 

[minnnt]

Open new filter

Open old filter

Cram old media into to new filter

Close filter

Turn on



And yes, they're much better than internals.

 

[CezzaXV]

What the others said, pretty much. Just transfer all the media across to the new filter.

You may lose a small amount of bacteria that were living on the filter walls, inside the hosing etc, but not enough to make a difference. If you're on the paranoid side like me, you can always monitor your water parameters for a day or two afterwards.

 

[big_sw2000]

Or do what i did, run both filters side by side for a while.

In fact thinking about it, i still have both filters working side by side.

Steve

 

[watertown28]

I think you can also "swoosh" the old bio filter in the tank water when you change filters? This of course would make the water icky looking for a little bit, but I would think that the bactiria on that filter would go into the water and therefor get sucked up and it would find itself a new home somewhere in your tank.

 

[minnnt]

It does work but a lot of the mulm ends up on the substrate, plants and hard scape.