Replacing a filter

[Stevetheadi]

Hi guys

I've been using a Interpet CF2 in my 64 litre tank for a couple of years. But that filter has been discontinued and the service packs are hard to get and expensive.

So I've decided to replace it with a Fluval U2.

What's the best way to get the new filter colonised with bacteria? Leave it running alongside the old one for a month or two?

Or put some of the bio media from the old filter into the new one? If I do this, will the new filter be effective immediately?

Cheers.

 

[Tacocat]

Me personally I would do a combination of both. The new filter likely won't be effective immediately, but if you ease into it there should be no problems whatsoever. If you're replacing it entirely you can just move all media into the new filter and monitor the water parameters carefully, but if you want to seed you can split the established media between the two filters and fill both of them up with new media, and thus you will have two ready-to-go filters.

 

[Stevetheadi]

Me personally I would do a combination of both. The new filter likely won't be effective immediately, but if you ease into it there should be no problems whatsoever. If you're replacing it entirely you can just move all media into the new filter and monitor the water parameters carefully, but if you want to seed you can split the established media between the two filters and fill both of them up with new media, and thus you will have two ready-to-go filters.

Thanks, that's very helpful.

 

[anewbie]

Just remember media is media and you can use bulk media and not the over price cartridges the vendor sells. Also you don't need carbon if you are using those. So you can replace the 'carbon' pads with some floss or floss pads and all will be well.