Upgrading To An External Filter

[alistairw]

Hello all.

I would like some advice on upgrading to an external filter in the next couple of months (an ideal present for my birthday in September!! ).

My tank is a Roma 90lt (600x300) and I use the Fluval U2 intenal filter as it is the one that came with the tank when i bought it 2 months ago.

The external that I am looking at is the Tetratek ex600, which from what I have read online, has quite good reviews. I have also watched the promotional video on Youtube and like the way that the media comes to bits with ease.

My question is this - I have just spent the last 2 months cycling the tank and the water is now stable with 0ppm Ammonia, 0ppm NitrIte and around 10-20ppm NitrAte, which I mostly eliminate with weekly water changes. Is it easy to transfer the media from the U2 into the external, being a different shape? The filter istself has 2 sponges, a black coloured plate that fits behind the sponge (carbon??) and then the white pellets that sit in the middle of the filter. The pellets can easily be transfered to the external as they look the same and I think all I would need to do is fill the hoder up with extra.

I don't really want to have to go through the process of re-cycling again, especially with fish in the tank and would really like to know the best way to proceed!

All knowledge and experience would be greatly appreciated!!

Al

 

[Salam]

You don't need to re-cycle, just do as you say. Transfer all media into the new external and you are ready to go.

 

[minnnt]

Get the 700, much better.

 

[alistairw]

You don't need to re-cycle, just do as you say. Transfer all media into the new external and you are ready to go.

Brilliant, thankyou for your help Salem. I suppose I just carefully cut it up to make it fit.

Get the 700, much better.

Would the 700 not be too powerful for a 90 lt tank?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

It's actually really good practice to get (at least) the next step up for your tank as the filters are never quite as powerful as it says on the box (the LPH is rated for an empty canister....I think ) and also high turnover will keep your water fresher. If you have plants good flow is really important as well

 

[alistairw]

It's actually really good practice to get (at least) the next step up for your tank as the filters are never quite as powerful as it says on the box (the LPH is rated for an empty canister....I think ) and also high turnover will keep your water fresher. If you have plants good flow is really important as well

Thanks for the info! looks like I will get that one then!

I notice you are from Carlisle! I grew up there - lived in Wetheral Pastures between Scotby and Wetheral!

 

[adam98150]

You don't need to re-cycle, just do as you say. Transfer all media into the new external and you are ready to go.

Brilliant, thankyou for your help Salem. I suppose I just carefully cut it up to make it fit.

Get the 700, much better.

Would the 700 not be too powerful for a 90 lt tank?

Nope, go for the biggest external you can. Flow is adjustable, and if you upgrade in the future you can use the same filter.

And you don't have to cut any media, just chuck it in one of the media baskets on the external (they're big).

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Cool! There are a few of us creeping around on TFF

I'm not from Carlisle but have lived here for around 3 years, I really like it! Wetheral is lovely, I'm partial to a nice meal in Fantails

 

[alistairw]

Nope, go for the biggest external you can. Flow is adjustable, and if you upgrade in the future you can use the same filter.

And you don't have to cut any media, just chuck it in one of the media baskets on the external (they're big).

Thanks for the advice, I think I will get the 700!

Cool! There are a few of us creeping around on TFF

I'm not from Carlisle but have lived here for around 3 years, I really like it! Wetheral is lovely, I'm partial to a nice meal in Fantails

I never went to fantails unfortunatley.....always drinking in town!

 

[minnnt]

I wouldn't hesitate to run the 1200 on a 90l.

 

[alistairw]

I wouldn't hesitate to run the 1200 on a 90l.

Cheers Minnnt!

I will have to check the size of the unit's as I will have to hide it in the cabinet below (the one supplied with the tank)

If it is on view, the Mrs will go mad!

 

[minnnt]

700 it is then.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

lol don't listen to minnnt he'd put the EX1200 on a 20L nano....and it's HUGE!

 

[minnnt]

 

[alistairw]

Thanks for all your help guys!

Definatly going to get the EX700, so crystal clear water here we come......in September anyway!