filter broke help?

[richpowell1989]

Hi last night my filter broke for no reason I tried to fix it my local lfs (my best mate works there so I get alot of work free lol) tried to fix it this morning nothin happened so I bought a new fluval u4 I got to say this filter is amazing !! The problem I have is my tank is well established with fish plants the lot now I am worried that if I put my new filter in won't it harm the fish due to the fact that the filter aint been cycled? The tank has been running for over 2 years so that's fine I just don't want my new filter to kill the fish anyone got any ideas on ways I cud put it in the tank but without killing anything? Thanks rich

 

[Manix]

I'm not an expert and I'm actually in the process of cycling my tank. But from all the information I've gathered in the past month I think the best thing you can do now is to transfer your old filter media to the new filter. It should give you a head start.

Hopefully the beneficial bacteria from the old filter media hasn't died due to the lack of water.

Meanwhile check your water parameters and do pwc as needed.

 

[epiphysis]

+1.

Get as much filtermedia in the new one as possible and even squeeze in the 'filter juice'.

 

[richpowell1989]

The problem is I the old filter media is big n round n I now have a fluval u 4 the media will not fit in

 

[senemedar]

I had a similar problem, so I just cut the old media sponge to smaller pieces to fit into new filter. You have to be careful though-- I pack my filter so tight it almost stopped the water flow and in result I killed 10 Guppies, shrimp and a Glass Catfish...

As far as I'm concerned lots of bacteria is sitting in the gravel and decorations as well.

Just be careful and monitor your water parameters closely.

 

[richpowell1989]

Well I manger to get my old filter working but it don't sound healthy lol I am running that in my tank as well as my new one jus till my new filter is ready, how long before I Shud take my old filter out?

 

[Retired_AF]

I have a suggestion, although it is pretty ugly. Take the old filter and put it in the tank near the intake of the new filter. Leave it there for a couple of weeks and your filter should pick up a lot of the BB and start its own culture.

 

[senemedar]

It's good to have them running for as long as possible, I've heard for something like two or three weeks should be ok. After that remember to check your water parameters!