Opinions on switching filtration

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
jowens

jowens

Piranha
MFK Member
May 6, 2008
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Charlotte, NC
I know that this is really a general aquarium question but the tank has SA cichlids in it, so I guess its relevant here.

I have a 125 that has been up and running continuously for about four years. It currently has three 5" uaru, one 5" crenicichla saxatilis and one 5" royal pleco. It is filtered by two Emperor 400s, which has been the case for some time.

I bought a Fluval FX5 last weekend and got it set up last Monday (4/26). I intend on using it as my only filter in the future, and want opinions on how to phase out my Emperors.

I was thinking of letting the FX5 seed for two weeks and then removing one Emperor, then waiting another two weeks to remove the second. I was thinking af adding two well-seeded hydrosponges at this point, leaving them in for maybe two more weeks, as a little extra bio security.

Any opinions?
 
When was the last time you cleaned the Emperors? If it was recently I'd wait a month, if they were not cleaned for about a month or so I think your plan is fine.
 
I can't remember exactly, but I think that the pads have been in there about one month. Each filter had four pads for a while, but I pulled two from each about two weeks ago.
 
Given your setup, I'd think most of your bacteria would be on and in the gravel bed. Though I'd probably run them for a week or two together just to be safe.
 
Yeah, I'd think the garvel would be pretty "alive", not to mention the twenty lb piece of wood that has been in there for years.

I would hate to bring an issue on due to my impatience, though.

I got the FX5 running quietly and without bubbles, by the way.
 
put some media from the older filters in the fx5. also if it were me, id keep one of your old ones on just cause. you can never have too much filtration
 
i second that! just put some media from your old filter into th FX5 and then your FX5 will be cycled and ready to go
 
One of the main reasons I am getting away from the Emperors is that they are pretty noisy from time to time, and the tank is in my bedroom. That said, I am a little nervous about going to a single filter. I have always used multiples in case one fails for some reason. I may leave the quieter one on there.

I do appreciate the input.
 
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