my new filter

[fantapants]

my hubby bought me a new filter and its due some time today. when i am seting it up, is there anything i can do to get it working efficiently that bit sooner? these water changes are killing my back!

[Turtle Jo]

Have you got any sort of filter in the tank at the moment?

You can use the 'used' media from this, in the new one, which should speed tup the establishment of the bacteria a bit...

Once the new filter is in, you won't need to dol full waters changes, just partial ones... (I know, they are a pain!)

[fantapants]

Originally Posted by Turtle Jo

Have you got any sort of filter in the tank at the moment?

You can use the 'used' media from this, in the new one, which should speed tup the establishment of the bacteria a bit...

Once the new filter is in, you won't need to dol full waters changes, just partial ones... (I know, they are a pain!)

it has an internal filter in it at the moment. will that work?

[Turtle Jo]

Yep, don't wash the sponge(s)/bio media from the internal filter and put them in the new external filter when you start using that.

[Graham]

Do as Jo says, and fill your filter up with as much Alfagrog as will fit, then just let it do it's stuff. With the ammonia from turt waste to feed on the bacteria will colonise the media quite quickly.

[fantapants]

Originally Posted by Graham

Do as Jo says, and fill your filter up with as much Alfagrog as will fit, then just let it do it's stuff. With the ammonia from turt waste to feed on the bacteria will colonise the media quite quickly.

ok, i have set it up and its running quite well. doenst half suck the crap out quickly! how often should i do partial water changes?

[Graham]

I test my water regularly and only do a partial change when the results indicate the need to do so, ie when toxin levels start to rise.