Comments on: Any advice for changing filter types in an aquarium? http://www.discusfishresources.com/18321/any-advice-for-changing-filter-types-in-an-aquarium/ Premier Source For Discus Fish Breeding Informations Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:34:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: tikitiki http://www.discusfishresources.com/18321/any-advice-for-changing-filter-types-in-an-aquarium/comment-page-1/#comment-2667 tikitiki Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:20:46 +0000 http://www.discusfishresources.com/any-advice-for-changing-filter-types-in-an-aquarium/#comment-2667 UGF do suck in my opinion lol. I'm not real familiar with their set up, it's been over 10 years since I had one, but is there any kind of filter pad in them? If so, add that to the new filter. Beneficial bacteria grows all over the tank, in the gravel(so be sure you only rinse that in a bucket of used tank water, not tap water), any decorations in the tank, and the filter media. So, if there is no filter pad in the UGF to move to the new filter, there will still be some beneficial bacteria in the tank. It may go through a mini cycle, just monitor the levels and increase the water changes if you need to. I would completely clean the bottom of the tank, because those UGF have a tendency to trap uneaten food and waste under there, which can cause an ammonia spike. I'd do a good gravel vac, remove the fish and about 1/2 the water and put the gravel in the bucket with the used tank water, then remove the UGF. Also, is that new filter on an established tank that's been running? If so, then don't change the filter pad in that one, keep it on and it should be ok-no cycle. Good luck! UGF do suck in my opinion lol. I'm not real familiar with their set up, it's been over 10 years since I had one, but is there any kind of filter pad in them? If so, add that to the new filter. Beneficial bacteria grows all over the tank, in the gravel(so be sure you only rinse that in a bucket of used tank water, not tap water), any decorations in the tank, and the filter media. So, if there is no filter pad in the UGF to move to the new filter, there will still be some beneficial bacteria in the tank. It may go through a mini cycle, just monitor the levels and increase the water changes if you need to.

I would completely clean the bottom of the tank, because those UGF have a tendency to trap uneaten food and waste under there, which can cause an ammonia spike. I'd do a good gravel vac, remove the fish and about 1/2 the water and put the gravel in the bucket with the used tank water, then remove the UGF.

Also, is that new filter on an established tank that's been running? If so, then don't change the filter pad in that one, keep it on and it should be ok-no cycle.

Good luck!

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