Introducing a new filter

[Wishful]

Hi everyone

We bought a Fluval 800 Deep (approx 27 gallons) a little while ago which included a Fluval Plus filter. We've been really unhappy with the performance of the filter, the aeration control is so bad that we either end up with an airflow worthy of tidal waters or hardly any water movement at all.

I used to have a tank with a Biolife filter and was always very happy with that. I believe the Biolife can also take peat filtration media, and since we are concerned that our tap water has a pH that is slightly too high, I was hoping that this may help to reduce the pH naturally, rather than trying to do it with chemicals (a regularly and hotly discussed topic in our house at the moment).

My question is really, how do we go about moving from one filter to the other? Do we run them in tandem for a while until the biological load in the Biolife builds up? If so, approximately how long would we need to do this?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Wishful

 

[chishnfips]

Hiya, I changed my old filter that I got with my tank a few weeks ago, and found that the best stuff to use to boost the bacteria was stress zyme, you can get it at most fish shops. I know you dont want to use chemicals but this stuff is like a bottle of bacteria, all you need is a tea spoon measurment a week. My stuff sorted my tank within days.

 

[Wishful]

Thanks Chishnfips

We regularly use Cycle on the existing filter, I think that must be the same stuff? Good bacteria in a bottle - Yakult for filters!

What sort of filter did you change from/to?

 

[chishnfips]

Some old crappy one that I got with my Tank and I changed it to a fluval 2. Which has been well better. I am suprised it hasn't sucked up the fish. lol

 

[Great Lakes]

Put some of your old filter material in with the new.

GL