How to upgrade to a new filter

**Mcshovelgun** · 07-06-2012, 11:31 PM

Hello,

I have 10 gallon tank that has been up and running for about a year now. It's doing pretty good and all my fish are happy, but I really don't like the filter. It's the Aqueon QuietFlow and while I think it does a decent job I much prefer the Fluval or AquaClear brands as they use the layers of sponge, activated carbon, topped off with the Bio Rings. The Aqueon just has the insert media and just doesn't seem as sufficient. And it makes me nervous that I'm going to lose all the beneficial bacteria every time I have to change the media - not that I change that often.

In any case, I understand that I should not just swap the filters, and that I should place the sponge and the Bio rings in the old filter for a couple weeks to get the beneficial bacteria growing, but is there anything else I should know?

Any advice is much appreciated. Thank you!

-Mcshovelgun

**Cliff** · 07-07-2012, 12:39 AM

The last time I up-graded filters, I ran both for 5 weeks (maybe 6) then took the old one off. Worked fine for me.

**dbosman** · 07-07-2012, 06:09 PM

The Aqueon QuietFlow can use a sponge too.
What I did was cut some plastic needle point material to fit in the filter slot, then cut a section of filter sponge from a generic AquaClear replacement sponge, to fit behind the plastic material. I cut the sponge so that water could get behind it, and flow through it, and out the spout.

**Mcshovelgun** · 07-07-2012, 06:18 PM

Thanks Cliff!

Were you upgrading on a 10 gallon? I'm not sure I have the room for two filters - at least, not with the hood.

Thanks!

**Mcshovelgun** · 07-07-2012, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by dbosman

The Aqueon QuietFlow can use a sponge too.
What I did was cut some plastic needle point material to fit in the filter slot, then cut a section of filter sponge from a generic AquaClear replacement sponge, to fit behind the plastic material. I cut the sponge so that water could get behind it, and flow through it, and out the spout.

yeah, I've heard of people doing similar things, too. Another reason I'm considering upgrading is I think my filter is slowing down. I don't know, it's pretty old and I bought it used, so who knows how much usage this things has had.

Thanks for advice!