Safe to use USED Filter???

[benito1188]

my LFS gave me a free fluval filter that was used in one og their fish in the store. is it safe to use in my tank? if not what can i do to make it work in my own tank with out harming my fish or water paremeters

 

[Lady G]

As long as it works it should be fine...Congrats on the freebie!!!

 

[Lady G]

Oh, I wanted to add...you may want to use some established filter media in it though to start, or keep your other filter running for a while with it so not to send it in a mini cycle or anything

 

[benito1188]

shouldnt i be cautous about sickness/parasites that may be in the fish store??

 

[Lady G]

Hmmm, well...clean it real good first. I have never got a used one from a LFS, but I have purchased used filters. I clean mine in dechlorinated salt water, replace the media...and use it, I haven't had any problems. I've used media from my old filters in them myself....but you may want to get a couple more responses to see if anyone else has concerns about the fact it came from the LFS.

Good luck

 

[amehel0]

u can run it in a 1/10th blech to water solution then a complete water soltion and use new media to cycle it or old media from ur own filter!

 

[K626]

I'd be worried about the bleach. I would just give it a really good scrub in some dechlorinated salt water. I have a used eheim on one of my tanks and it's great.

 

[ar0wan]

PRIME is king. I regen PURIGEN in a 50/50 bleach water solution and do a single rinse with a capful of the stuff and get immediate (0) chlorine readings. I let it soak overnight to be safe.

 

[cassharper]

Just a good scrub, and I would replace the filter media.

 

[Dr Joe]

u can run it in a 1/10th blech to water solution then a complete water soltion and use new media to cycle it or old media from ur own filter!

^^^

Set it up on a 5g bucket and let it run with the bleach water after you have scrubbed it, then with freshwater and dechlor.

Dr Joe

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