Converting From Internal Filter To External Filter

[aspaterson]

Hi there,

I have just purchased a Fluval 205 external filter for my 120litre tank.

I am currently using a Fluval 1 and Fluval 2 internal filter and want to convert my tank.

Please help?

How long do I have to run them together for? I guess I will have too.[/size]

 

[T1KARMANN]

Hi there,

I have just purchased a Fluval 205 external filter for my 120litre tank.

I am currently using a Fluval 1 and Fluval 2 internal filter and want to convert my tank.

Please help?

How long do I have to run them together for? I guess I will have too.[/size]

even when you new filter is up and running i would still leave one of the internal filters running as you can never have to much filteration

 

[diademhill]

I agree - keep one of the internals running for an instant QT or hospital tank as needed.
You can just put the sponges from the other in your external.

 

[aspaterson]

Thanks gents,

I intend to move my Fluval 2 into my second tank that is only running on one filter at the moment.

Thanks for the input, but my original question still remains unanswered, How long do I need to run my internal and external filters together for?

I do intend to completely take out my internal filters. Yes they will be a back-up if my external fails, but will be used in my second tank, a breeding tank. If a failure occurs in my new external filter then I will move one of the internals back into my main tank.

Thanks again.

 

[Silverlady]

Hi I ran my internal for two weeks after installing the external one ,I did get a very slight nitrite reading ,so i added the sponge from the internal ,to the new filter for backup,and it worked very well.

 

[rixy]

i'd agree.2 weeks should be ok.

 

[Rodge]

just finished a move from internal to external my self.

I also had two internal ones and got a external ehiem 2224. I moved the sponge's from one filter into the tray on the external then topped up with bio. Left both running for two weeks then took the other internal filter out. Left the sponge in the 2224 for another week befor taking it out and toping up with bio again.

I would imagine that you could take all the sponges out of your internals and put them in the external with new media you could run with that for a while to seed the new media. Then take the sponges for the fluval 2 back out to use in the fluval in the other tank.