Swapping Filters

[~Col~]

Hi Everyone

I'm patiently waiting for a new gasket seal for my Eheim cannister filter. While I'm waiting I have a smaller Fluval 204 running in my tank. It's too small really, hence the need to put the Eheim in, I've got a couple of airstone in the tank to help with airation and am doing regular water changes.

Anyway, my question is whether I should run both filters together for a week or two when I get the Eheim back up and running? Or should I just use the water from the Fluval in the Eheim?

What's the "norm" or recommendation when changing to a different filter. I've never had to do this before.

Sorry if this seems like a silly question. (blush)

[Cliff]

Every time I've switched filters, I ran both the old and new one for 5 to 6 weeks.

Were you using the Eheim for a while before the seal went ? If you were, what did you do with the filter media that was in there ?

[Sarkazmo]

The media is the important part. If you want to keep both filters up and running (not really a bad idea especially if you've had a filter fail before) then just hook up 'em both up and run 'em from here on out. If you're going to stick with just one filter and take the other out of service then move all the media from the established filter that's running into the 'new' filter and everything'll just go on as it has been, more or less.

Sark

[~Col~]

Cliff - no I haven't run this filter before. It was 2nd hand with the 4ft tank I got. When I went to run it (after getting new hoses) the thing leaked like a sieve, so my tank has been cycled using the smaller filter.

Sark - the filters have a completely different set up inside so using the media from the fluval in the eheim would give me a challenge on how to get it to fit. LOL!!

I think I'll keep both running for a month or so and go from there.

Is it possible to OVER filter a tank? The two filters together would be able to do a tank twice this size I think. I'll keep both intakes at one end and the outlets at the other so there would be more current at the one end. I'll reduce the bubbles from the airstone so I guess it'll all even out. :sconfused:

[Brhino]

it's possible to have too much current, but it's not possible to have too much filtration.

[~Col~]

Thanks Brhino!

I think if I set it up as I said I should be right. I'll just keep an eye on it to make sure there isn't too much current stressing the fish.

That is when the part finally comes in. LOL!!

[Cliff]

When I've had to run two filters on a tank before (as mentioned above), I tured the output nozzel towards the glass. That helped to keep good flow through the filter and cut down on current in the tank.