Help Filter Stopped Working.

[slimey]

I have a problem, i came home today to find my whisper filter had burnt out and i had to buy a different brand because unfortunately no one stocks them any more.
Now this is my problem i can't use the old cartridge because it wont fit in the new filter anywhere.
I washed the old cartridge out in the new filter as much as i could, will the bacteria in the gravel be enough to control the bio load or will i get another cycle?

[Wild Turkey]

I have a problem, i came home today to find my whisper filter had burnt out and i had to buy a different brand because unfortunately no one stocks them any more.
Now this is my problem i can't use the old cartridge because it wont fit in the new filter anywhere.
I washed the old cartridge out in the new filter as much as i could, will the bacteria in the gravel be enough to control the bio load or will i get another cycle?

Rub the old media all over the new media a ton, since you arent using it after really do a good job on it. You could also cut it apart and gently clean the charcoal from the cloth with tank water, then shove the cloth in with the new media, that can also help. The gravel alone wont prevent a mini cycle, and whatever you do, i would test often for a while to be sure everything is going smoothly.

[slimey]

Thank's Turk, i rubbed the old on the new a fair bit but the new style of filter i puchased has a sealed cartridge, you can't get into them.
So if i get a mini cycle what do i do, use Ammo lock or a bacteria booster do ya think?
I have some Stress Zyme do ya reckon i should put some of that in now?

[Wild Turkey]

bacteria yes ammo lock no

add some stress zyme now if you want, it cant hurt. You cant overdose it and some people add it during water changes even.

Test daily, wc the ammonia and nitrite down if either gets above around 1.0

[slimey]

Ok, thank's heaps mate.
I only just put a pair of Bolivian Rams in that tank, damn it, how will they go through a cycle?

[Wild Turkey]

Ok, thank's heaps mate.
I only just put a pair of Bolivian Rams in that tank, damn it, how will they go through a cycle?

np

Rams can be sensitive, maybe keep it below 1.0 or even .5 if they seemed stressed. How low you keep it shouldnt matter too much as long as you are adding stress zyme

[slimey]

Thank's for the help Turk, i just added 15 mils of stress zyme and i'll get another bottle tomorrow, i can't believe the last few days, my gourami dies, my heater stops working, now my filter.
Thank's again.

[Mvjnz]

I alwayst just rub an established sponge on a new sponge when starting a new tank, and it has worked perfectly every time, so you shouldn't have any probs with it:)

[Wild Turkey]

I alwayst just rub an established sponge on a new sponge when starting a new tank, and it has worked perfectly every time, so you shouldn't have any probs with it:)

But you dont start a new tank fully stocked, or at least i hope not ;)

The idea is : before anything happened he had X bacteria for Z bioload. Since theres no way he transfered 100% of the bacteria by rubbing, now he has X-a bactera and must now grow "a" amount of bacteria. "a" being the amount of bacteria lost, and also the amount the be regained in order to use Z bioload. Whether he is missing enough to see a mini cycle or not, is anyones guess. But adding bacteria will help (in the form of stress zyme)

[slimey]

I might even start feeding the fish once a day until i know whats happening, that might help to keep the levels of ammonia and nitrites down a bit.

[Wild Turkey]

I might even start feeding the fish once a day until i know whats happening, that might help to keep the levels of ammonia and nitrites down a bit.

I would continue normally, and then do that if you see ur params creeping up. Great thinking though it will help, less input means less output

[slimey]

Thank's for your help Turk, i appreciate it.thumbs2: