Long Period Filter Media Transferring Question

[volcomstone]

Sorry for the long title...I guess I didn't know how to word it hah

I plan to take out all my filter media (substrat pro) from my current up and running canister filter since I am selling it tomorrow morning. Is there anything I can do to save the BB on the filter media? I won't be able to place all the filter media in a new filter until the evening time frame tomorrow. What's the most effective way to go about this?

 

[Burko]

"What's the most effective way to go about this? "

I'd just pop it in a bucket of tank water for the day.

 

[perfect_prefect]

do a water change and save your old water in a rubbermaid container, drop a power head in with the media to move the water around over it and you will save as much of the BB as you possibly could. also monitor water temp.

 

[Mike fail]

if you can put it in your tank

 

[malawi mayhem]

if you can put it in your tank

IMHO... I think this is by far the best answer....

I would try to find some large media bags the kind they use for charcoal typically and load them up with the media and put the bags on the bottom of the tank.

BTW- I just went through 5L of the Ehiem Pro Sub - changing over media in 2 of my Fluval 405s... it looks very cool... just like coco puffs...!! I am going to get another 5L and do the rest.....!!!!!!!

Good Luck...!

mm

 

[brianp]

I wouldn't worry about this. Your Ehfisubstrat Pro probably contains a great deal of organic matter which will improve adhesion and speed of colonization by subsequent waterborne bacteria. I would give the media a quick rinse.....tank, tap or distilled water, I don't think it will matter. When you reinstall this media in the next filter, inoculate generously with Seachem Stability and I think you'll see fairly rapid recolonization and cycling.

 

[tcarswell]

IMHO... I think this is by far the best answer....

I would try to find some large media bags the kind they use for charcoal typically and load them up with the media and put the bags on the bottom of the tank.

BTW- I just went through 5L of the Ehiem Pro Sub - changing over media in 2 of my Fluval 405s... it looks very cool... just like coco puffs...!! I am going to get another 5L and do the rest.....!!!!!!!

Good Luck...!

mm

Yup I got my 2215 full of the stuff and one tray in my 405 full of substrate pro. I like it because it allows the water to pass easier than the regular substrate becuase it does not block water due to compacting. This is all just my opinion and observation. substrate pro = good stuff.

 

[malawi mayhem]

I wanted to add one thing on this subject...

I have so many Fluval 405s, 9 of them, and are all running bio media. In the past I would just tear them down and clean them out with tap water and have to start the whole cycle over again for each filter.

But reading here how everyone uses tank water to clean them I thought who cares how many filters you have if you have good mature bb enriched media... why would you want to lose it?

However, I would like to know more about "brianp's" experience with Seachem Stabiity or anyone else who uses it...

mm

 

[Tropical Dude]

I wouldn't worry about this. Your Ehfisubstrat Pro probably contains a great deal of organic matter which will improve adhesion and speed of colonization by subsequent waterborne bacteria. I would give the media a quick rinse.....tank, tap or distilled water, I don't think it will matter. When you reinstall this media in the next filter, inoculate generously with Seachem Stability and I think you'll see fairly rapid recolonization and cycling.

Organic matter that improves adhesion? Seems like if anything it would clog it. And as for tap water, that will kill it and all that dead bacteria might clog it. And as for Seachem Stability, it will help but I still don't trust BB in a bottle.

But yeah, a good rinse won't hurt and if it's the same tank, Brianp is right, it will be a quick mini-cycle.

 

[lighthouse39183]

I would also place it inside the tank if possible. As long as you have water movement and airation you shouldn't lose very much of the BB this way. Rinse it in tank water and then place it inside the tank.