Adding a new filter to a established tank

[roydesilva]

So I'm wanting to buy a canister filter for my established 40 gallon. The tank has been running for around 3 months, has 2 internal filters and a hang on the back filtre already in it and has 6 African cichlids in it. But the filters are still not keeping up and the tank gets cloudy and dirty after after a day. i do w/c 2 times a week. I was wondering how I would go about adding the new filter. Do I have to remove the fish or can I keep them in? I am planning on taking the two internal filters out eventually. Thanks for your help

 

[garfy]

No need to remove the fish.Just add the Canister filter and off you go.Leave your established filters on the tank until the canister is cycled (roughly 6-8 weeks) then remove the old filters or leave 1 to run in tandem with the Canister.Good choice to use a canister by the way

 

[roydesilva]

No need to remove the fish.Just add the Canister filter and off you go.Leave your established filters on the tank until the canister is cycled (roughly 6-8 weeks) then remove the old filters or leave 1 to run in tandem with the Canister.Good choice to use a canister by the way

Thank you, helps a lot

 

[garfy]

Anytime

 

[herp_mommy]

or you could just take the medium out of the old, stick it in the new, and be good to go.

-edit- you might also have a green water problem. Look into getting a UV in-line sterilizer that works with canisters. I had this problem in my 125 cichlid tank. Water stays crystal clear now.