How Do I Change My Filter?

[Miss M]

Hi everyone. I have a 10 gallon tank, and my filter needs to be changed (tetra canister filter). How do I do this without having my tank cycle again?

It has too much guck on it and it's beginning to tear near the top. There are 2 parts inside the canister, a black mesh piece that sits near the front, and the white filter with charcoal (I think) inside of it that sits in the back. The white filter is what I need to change.

Tank is fully cycled with 7 fish in it.


Also, can I save the old filter to help cycle another tank, and if so, how do you use it?


Thank you to any that respond

 

[backtotropical]

Buy your new filter media and put it in your filter with the old media. Leave it there for say 2 weeks, then take half of the old media out. Leave another 2 weeks, then take the remainder of your old media out.

Make sure you test for ammonia and nitrite after removing media, just to be sure.

To save your old filter to help cycle another tank, just keep it in your filter until you are ready to use it. If you take it out, it will die in a few hours. Hope this helps.

 

[dixiedawn]

have you just tried rinsing it, if it was me i'd rinse it in tank water that's been removed from the tank and unless it's litterally falling apart i wouldn't change it.

as far as cycling another tank, you can put the new filter in the currently cycled tank, let it run for a week or two, plonk water etc in new tank then promptly put new filter from old tank in new tank, plug her up and away you go n add fish.

at least i think that's correct me, please anyone if this is wrong feel free

 

[Miss M]

Dixie, I have been rinsing it when I do water changes (in the old tank water), but it's at the point where it does need to be replaced.
The top of the entire filter is coming apart from the plastic that holds it together.

Thanks for the input

 

[dixiedawn]

coolios, didn't realize from first post that it was that far gone...........er in that case what blacktropical said lol