Author Topic: New external filte in situ. How will the filter bacteria cope? CYCLED in 5 DAYS. (Read 12007 times) 20 replies

Fiona · « **on:** April 04, 2016, 11:54:28 PM »

Finally installed the new external filter yesterday, transferring the ceramic media from the old internal into it.

I did a water test today and ammonia was somewhere between 0-0.25ppm so I did a 20l water change to get the readings down to zero. Nitrites were fine but I'll be checking both again tomorrow.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2016, 12:27:19 AM »

Do you have fish in?

I'm planning upgrading to an external and have been trying to decide the best method.

Interested to hear how you get on...

Fiona · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2016, 07:34:25 AM »

Yes I do have fish in, this is my 200l, I'm hoping the old ceramic filter media bacteria will just step in and do the job. So far so good. I could have probably got away with just 10l, the ammonia test wasn't quite 0.25 but as it wasn't that lovely buttery yellow colour I thought I'd better do a small water change.

Sue · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2016, 09:04:33 AM »

The best way is what Fiona as done - put all the old media into the new filter. Going from an internal to an external is usually easy as externals have much more media than internals. So put the old media in the external's baskets and fill the gaps with new external's media.

You will lose all the bacteria on the casing of the old filter and may get a small blip in readings as Fiona has found, but they are usually over very quickly if they occur at all.

After a couple of months, you can replace the old media with new a bit at a time if it is sponges buried in ceramics, or similar. When mixing old ceramics with new just leave the old there.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2016, 11:53:14 AM »

Would there be any benefit in leaving the internal (minus it's ceramic media) in place for a week or two, after installing the external?

Sue · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2016, 01:00:22 PM »

If you wanted to, it would be OK but not really necessary. Compared to the total bacteria, the amount on the old filter would be quite small, and if there is a blip in readings it won't last long. Fiona has only had a blip of less than 0.25.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2016, 02:26:18 PM »

Thanks Sue

Fiona · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2016, 05:31:59 PM »

0 ammonia today but found 0-0.25ppm of nitrite so did a 20l water change. I'll test again tomorrow.

Littlefish · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2016, 06:17:15 PM »

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Fiona · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2016, 04:58:33 PM »

Just completed another test, 0 ammonia as expected. The nitrites are between 0-0.25 however there must only be a tiny trace of nitrites in there as the blue is just slightly duller than the usual sky blue.

Should I do a water change or do you reckon I'll get away with it?

Sue · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2016, 05:12:03 PM »

I would leave it unless the colour does reach the 0.25 shade.

Fiona · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2016, 11:30:50 AM »

Definite 0.25 nitrites this morning so will need to do a water change.

Fiona · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2016, 11:30:46 AM »

0 nitrites this morning so I'm guessing the new filter is cycled, I will do one more test tonight though.

Simon just so you know when you set yours up, I only used the ceramic media, I discarded the sponges as I didn't want the hassle of hooking them out later. If I'd included them I doubt I would have had as much free nitrite.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2016, 11:39:44 AM »

Good news Fiona.

Thanks for the tip.

What external filter did you go for? Are you pleased with it? Is it nice and quiet? How's the flow coming from the spray bar? Was it easy to set up?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions.

Fiona · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2016, 11:59:04 AM »

Its a fluval 206 and I got offered it very cheaply because my MA had ordered it in for a woman who then said she didn't want it. I was sworn to secrecy over the price

and it was a 'if you buy it now' deal. I phoned my son as I didn't have my cards with me (to prevent impulse fishy buys), he checked prices online and then paid for it over the phone because as he said, it's a ridiculously cheap. One of the perks of being a regular customer I guess

Its very easy to set up, it emits a very quiet, low hum but I do have mine standing on a box which is probably amplifying the noise, however I cant hear it at all if the tvs on. It doesnt come with a spray bar and I'm considering adding one.

Only problem I do have is the grips that go over the edge of the tank to hold the hoses in place, prevent the lid on the fluval roma tank from closing but one of my son's mates has a jigsaw and hes going to enlarge the holes in the lid.

I'd recommend it

Extreme_One · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2016, 12:06:47 PM »

Thanks Fiona. That's good to know as the Fluval 206 is the one at the top of my watch list.

Littlefish · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2016, 02:05:12 PM »

Congratulations on completing your cycle in such a short time.

Awesome.

Paddyc · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2016, 05:41:56 PM »

Wel done!

(show-off

.)

Fiona · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2016, 07:03:33 PM »

where's the holding a trophy smiley when you need one

Extreme_One · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2016, 08:30:49 PM »

Quote from: Fiona O'Mahoney on April 08, 2016, 07:03:33 PM

where's the holding a trophy smiley when you need one

You mean this one

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New External Filte In Situ. How Will The Filter Bacteria Cope? CYCLED In 5 DAYS.

New External Filte In Situ. How Will The Filter Bacteria Cope? CYCLED In 5 DAYS.

Author Topic: New external filte in situ. How will the filter bacteria cope? CYCLED in 5 DAYS. (Read 12007 times) 20 replies

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