What To Do With Filter Media

[pablothebetta]

I'm planning on stripping down a tank next week (it's filthy and needs a good clean) and I'm wondering what to do with the filter media while I do so as it will take a few days. I believe the filter is one of those built in Juwel ones so I cannot simply put the whole filter in the small 'holding tank' the inhabitants (guppies) will be going into overnight or so.

What can I do with the filter media (sponge pads I believe) while I strip the tank? Will it be fine simply at the bottom of the 'holding tank'?

Many Thanks

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi...it's going to need Oxygen, food, relative warmth and dechlorinated water. There are many ways of doing it, as will no doubt follow... but a good way could be in a large plastic tub/small fish tank..run it in warm, dechlorinated water whilst feeding it pure ammonia or a more natural source such as fish food and/or waste...do you have a smaller tank that you could run it on?
Out of interest, how much of a deep clean takes a couple of days?


Terry.

 

[fluttermoth]

Hi...it's going to need Oxygen, food, relative warmth and dechlorinated water. There are many ways of doing it, as will no doubt follow... but a good way could be in a large plastic tub/small fish tank..run it in warm, dechlorinated water whilst feeding it pure ammonia or a more natural source such as fish food and/or waste...do you have a smaller tank that you could run it on?

Will the Juwel powerhead come off so you can run that in a bucket with the media?

Out of interest, how much of a deep clean takes a couple of days?


Terry.

Indeed; I've done dozens of strip downs over the years, and always do it in one day (except when it's because of a leak and I have to wait for the sealant to cure); just get up early and get on with it!

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for the replies, sorry I didn't get back earlier.

Out of interest, how much of a deep clean takes a couple of days?

Terry.

Indeed; I've done dozens of strip downs over the years, and always do it in one day (except when it's because of a leak and I have to wait for the sealant to cure); just get up early and get on with it!

The tank isn't mine so I'm not able to spend all day there, etc, so I'm having to do it in two parts - hopefully I'll be able to get it done overnight.

Hi...it's going to need Oxygen, food, relative warmth and dechlorinated water. There are many ways of doing it, as will no doubt follow... but a good way could be in a large plastic tub/small fish tank..run it in warm, dechlorinated water whilst feeding it pure ammonia or a more natural source such as fish food and/or waste...do you have a smaller tank that you could run it on?

What is meant by "run it in"? Just keep it in that sort of water? Would this not be similar to keeping the sponges with the fish?

As for your powerhead idea, fluttermoth, I'm not sure - as far as I know, the only part I can really remove is the media, which is why I was wondering about removing just that. Would the bacteria on the sponges die if left overnight or so (potentially could take 2 nights, will have to see how it goes) at the bottom of the tank with the guppies in? I imagine they'd still get the ammonia (etc) what with the fish being present.

Oh, and another question - heating. The 'holding tank' for the guppies will be heated but I'm not sure what W the tank heater is. I don't think the 'holding tank' will be as big as the regular one and I don't want it to overheat. I've never experienced over heating before - how long does it take? Would it affect a tank over 1 or 2 nights? I might enquire as to what the 'holding tank' will be tomorrow (not sure what will be used quite yet) and find the W of the heater, as I imagine that will help.

Sorry for all the Qs - just want to get this right

 

[pablothebetta]

Bump

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Bump

Hi Pablo..i used the phrase 'run-in' with the context of running the filter, that's all...IE; simply letting it run in warm, dechlorinated water. Simply keeping any sponges or other mature media in water with any fish wont keep your bacteria i'm afraid. Although the relative warmth may prolong it's existence, it will surely die off within a given period...just like fire, these Bacteria need other things to keep it alive.

Terry.

 

[pablothebetta]

Thanks for replying. If I am unable to run the filter though, what am I to do? I really don't think I can take it out and put it in the holding tank to run in there ...

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I have a spare one of these---------> http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600LPH-Internal-Filter-Power-Head-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Filtration-Oxygenator-/110804465303?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item19cc75f697

If you are willing to spend a couple of pounds and are able to wait a few days to get something like this then that is a good opition.
How big is the filter on YOUR tank? Can you fit it in there?
Do you know anyone else close by with a filter that could accomodate the media?

Terry.

 

[pablothebetta]

I have a spare one of these---------> http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600LPH-Internal-Filter-Power-Head-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Filtration-Oxygenator-/110804465303?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item19cc75f697

If you are willing to spend a couple of pounds and are able to wait a few days to get something like this then that is a good opition.
How big is the filter on YOUR tank? Can you fit it in there?
Do you know anyone else close by with a filter that could accomodate the media?

Terry.

Unfortunately I've planned to do the tank on monday so I'm not really able to order anything for it. I only have a small 28L betta tank at the moment myself with a small internal, so putting media in there isn't really an option and I no of no-one else. Just had a thought though - they also have a goldfish tank around 90-100L (I know, I know...) - could I put as much media as possible into there? What if I couldn't fit it all in - would it be OK to take out some of the goldfish media and put it into the tank with the goldies just while the guppy tank sponges are in there? I don't want to lose too much bacteria, but I suppose the filter would at least retain some of it's bacteria colony. If I could only put in 2 or 3 sponges from the guppy tank (and any others lost the bactera), would the colony be enough to last & regrow?

Many Thanks

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Yes, that seems like the best option, just get as much media in there as possible (pay attention to current flow rate) then get to work on the refurbishment of this other tank. Once everything is done and the fish are back in, i would monitor test results closely for a week or so.

Terry.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

The internal Juwel tank power head just pops pops off, get a large plastic box put media in heater and power head job done

 

[CezzaXV]

Btw, heaters shouldn't overheat unless they're faulty. They're designed to maintain the water at a certain temperature and turn off when not required.

 

[Tolak]

Toss it in the holding tank with the fish after rinsing in old tank water.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Toss it in the holding tank with the fish after rinsing in old tank water.

Just sitting there, at the bottom of the tank? That wouldn't do alot to keep them alive, it may prolong their life for a day or two.

Terry.

 

[Tolak]

As long as they are kept wet they will be fine. I often state, for the sake of safety for less experienced members, that as long as media is kept wet you will loose 10-12% every 24 hours. Per post #7 here it is probably less than that.

Shipping media is easier than shipping fish. Temperature control is not a big concern, a percentage of die back with bacteria isn't a problem, a percentage of die back with fish is. If a few days in transit for media isn't an issue a few days in the bottom of the tank won't be an issue. I keep sponge filters sitting in a stocked 150 gallon tub, pull them for use in other tanks when needed. These are often fry tanks, fry are generally more sensitive than adult fish, if there was a problem I'd know real fast.