How do I change filters ???

[crazy 4 fish]

I'm finally going to be able to change out the filter on my 32g. I presently have a Fluval 404 (that sounds like it's dying) and am probably going to buy an appropriate Eheim from BA's. I'm not sure how to change from one filter to the other. Will I be able to fit the media from my Fluval into the Eheim ? Should I ? What will it take for my tank to still be cycled ? Thanks in advance for any help and please feel free to comment on my choice of filters. I know you all have your preferences but I'm new enough to appreciate whatever info I can get.

Cheryl

[fischkopp]

Maybe you can still save your filter, if it sounds bad it may just need a new impeller (worn out) or impeller shaft (broken).

You can basically use any media in an canister filter, brand doesn't matter. The biomedia is loose, so fitting it in is no problem. The fluval sponges will be more difficult to fit. New filter normally come fully stocked with media. But it is still a good idea to mix some old media underneath (or use the old bio media completely) just because the bacteria are already established in there.

I do like the eheim classic series the most, best value.

[Brine]

One way to do it is to get the new filter and set it up. Run both filters one the one tank for a few weeks (longer if you can) then take the old one out. The new filter should be good by then. Over filtering can't hurt.

[crazy 4 fish]

Maybe you can still save your filter, if it sounds bad it may just need a new impeller (worn out) or impeller shaft (broken).

I recently changed the impeller cover bc I broke the clips while trying to clean it. I find the sound worse since I changed my substrate to 1/3 Fluorite + 2/3 small gravel. I clean the canister every 2 weeks now as well.

[fischkopp]

Maybe it's fine sand that gets to the impeller - that's not good. You can add a sponge to the intake to avoid that.

[crazy 4 fish]

Maybe it's fine sand that gets to the impeller - that's not good. You can add a sponge to the intake to avoid that.

Yes that's what I figured was making it sound worse now and be sooooo yuchy inside. Although it sounded bad even when I had nothing in the bottom. I've read about using sponges before. Do I use the regular aquarium sponges ie like the blue ones you can purchase at BA's ? Does having the sponge on the intake make the filter work harder ?

Sorry about posting in the wrong place ... I thought this was only for DIY equipment 

[Agnate]

The sponge only makes it work harder if it's not kept clean.

I always recommend having two filters on a tank (even if the second one is a small one) for the inevitable situation where one of the filters breaks down.

Ideally, if my filter was basically toast (not saying yours is) and I just wanted to switch over the filter, I'd take out the bio media from the established filter (the porous media pieces - varies between brands) and put it directly into the new filter when I set it up for the tank (don't let it sit out or be stagnant for more than a couple hours).  This will likely account for a majority of the beneficial bacteria that is present in your old filter, so you would be able to prevent another tank cycle. 

What kind of noise is it making?  Just a grinding-like noise?

[crazy 4 fish]

Yup but has been for quite sometime now. Works okay ... except for stopping on two separate occasions ... but didn't sound this way when I got it last year (second hand after 1 of use). The water sometimes sputters as it's coming back into the tank but hasn't since last week. I find the canister needs to be cleaned much more often since adding the fluorite ... every week ... where I was cleaning it monthly when the tank bottom was bare. But again the noise started before the substrate addition. Not sure what the heck happened to change it. I'm wondering if it's older than I was led to believe.

I promised the fish that as soon as I could afford it their noisy, unreliable filter would be changed