New filter

[cpwright93]

Help! I couldn’t keep my old filter in my tank because it stopped working. I bought a Fluval U1 filter and it’s made the water cloudy, will this kill the fish?

 

[Essjay]

Cloudy water won't kill the fish, but if you threw away the old media, there could now be ammonia and/or nitrite in the water which will kill the fish - have you tested for them?

When changing a filter, as much of the old media as possible should be put in the new filter to save as many bacteria as possible.

 

[cpwright93]

They are two very different types of filter, the CF1 I had before I can’t take apart or use anything to put into the fluval. Can I squeeze the water from the cartridges into the water or new filter?

 

[Essjay]

Looking at photos of the two filters, there are a cartridge and green pad in the CF1 while the U1 has a single foam? Can the cartridge and green pad be held against each side of the U1 foam and then slid together into the filter?

 

[cpwright93]

Looking at photos of the two filters, there are a cartridge and green pad in the CF1 while the U1 has a single foam? Can the cartridge and green pad be held against each side of the U1 foam and then slid together into the filter?

It’s a good idea, but the cartridges are much bigger in the CF1 width wise and can’t be taken apart to be used in the U1.

 

[Essjay]

Do the cartridges contain carbon? If it does, cut it open and throw away the carbon. Cut the bag part off the frame and just squeeze that in the new filter. It doesn't mater if you have to cut it into pieces as long as you get as much in as possible.

 

[cpwright93]

Do the cartridges contain carbon? If it does, cut it open and throw away the carbon. Cut the bag part off the frame and just squeeze that in the new filter. It doesn't mater if you have to cut it into pieces as long as you get as much in as possible.

Will give it a go cheers, can I not just squeeze the cartridges directly into the water and wait for the new filter to clear the water?

 

[Essjay]

The bacteria live in the biofilm which is tightly bound to surfaces. Squeezing the media won't dislodge much, if any, biofilm - we wash media by squeezing it in old tank water and we lose virtually no bacteria doing that. That's why we recommend using the actual media from the old filter.