Can you swap filters?

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

Kind of a stupid question when I say it out loud. But, I’ve kind of been slacking on taking care of my tank, and haven’t been doing filter maintenance. Do you think it would be better, or okay to swap filters if I washed them swapped some of the filter pads? I have the fulval 207 for my 29 gallon tank that’s been running for about a year and a half, and I can switch it to a fluval 307. I guess what I’m getting at is that I’m worried my filter isn’t as good anymore, and if changing it out would be beneficial?

Idech · Jul 28, 2024

You’ll have more water moving per hour with the 307 for sure so it can’t be a bad thing. Changing a filter should not make any difference to your tank if you have enough rock (live) and the tank is already cycled.

eta : I just saw your tank is 29 gallons. The 207 should be enough. Do you have powerheads running ?

BristleWormHater · Jul 28, 2024

If your using filter socks just wash them don't listen to the companies telling you to buy new ones every month.

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

Idech said:
You’ll have more water moving per hour with the 307 for sure so it can’t be a bad thing. Changing a filter should not make any difference to your tank if you have enough rock (live) and the tank is already cycled.

I started off with dry rock, but I would hope my tank is cycled by now. Do you think I should use entirely new filter equipment, or should I swap the all the pads, or some of the pads?

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
If your using filter socks just wash them don't listen to the companies telling you to buy new ones every month.

I don’t have filter socks, but the filter pads, I’m guessing I should just wash the filter pads and put them into the new filter?

BristleWormHater · Jul 28, 2024

TankChange said:
I don’t have filter socks, but the filter pads, I’m guessing I should just wash the filter pads and put them into the new filter?

Sorry, I just read your post again. Yes, you could wash those, but don't fix what isn't broken, if you see debris floating around in the water, then you should wash them & put them back in but if you don't see any debris. I would just leave it

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
Sorry, I just read your post again. Yes, you could wash those, but don't fix what isn't broken, if you see debris floating around in the water, then you should wash them & put them back in but if you don't see any debris. I would just leave it

Yeah, I was just watching some videos, and stumbled upon fluvals “care guide” for their filters, and it was a lot of stuff I never do. So I was just wondering if swapping could be beneficial

BristleWormHater · Jul 28, 2024

TankChange said:
Yeah, I was just watching some videos, and stumbled upon fluvals “care guide” for their filters, and it was a lot of stuff I never do. So I was just wondering if swapping could be beneficial?

Maybe, maybe not. It wouldn't hurt to clean them though.

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

BristleWormHater said:
Maybe, maybe not. It wouldn't hurt to clean them though.

Thanks

Idech · Jul 28, 2024

TankChange said:
I started off with dry rock, but I would hope my tank is cycled by now. Do you think I should use entirely new filter equipment, or should I swap the all the pads, or some of the pads?

All media in your filter needs to be cleaned regularly. That’s why canister filters aren’t used much in saltwater; they are a pain to clean.

If you don’t clean them, you’re just producing more and more nitrates. Your filter needs to have regular maintenance as well. If it’s been six months, you need go take it apart and clean it. There are how-to videos on Youtube. Not cleaning it will greatly reduce performance.

VintageReefer · Jul 28, 2024

Why do you think the filter isn’t good anymore? Do you have any actual issues with the tank?

What do you keep inside the filter? Ok the compartments. Some of this can be cleaned. Sometimes there’s things you shouldn’t clean. Some things need to be replaced periodically

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

Idech said:
All media in your filter needs to be cleaned regularly. That’s why canister filters aren’t used much in saltwater; they are a pain to clean.

If you don’t clean them, you’re just producing more and more nitrates. Your filter needs to have regular maintenance as well. If it’s been six months, you need go take it apart and clean it. There are how-to videos on Youtube. Not cleaning it will greatly reduce performance.

It sound pretty lazy, but do you think after not cleaning for so long, that just washing the filter media, and putting it into the new filter, and making sure that filter gets cleaned would be better? I would have to set up the filter though, bad that’s never too much of a hassle for me

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

VintageReefer said:
Why do you think the filter isn’t good anymore? Do you have any actual issues with the tank?

What do you keep inside the filter? Ok the compartments. Some of this can be cleaned. Sometimes there’s things you shouldn’t clean. Some things need to be replaced periodically

I thought the filter might not be the best anymore due to the lack of care, and cleaning. But my tank seems to be doing pretty well, just a bit of algae. Nothing seems to be out of control though

VintageReefer · Jul 28, 2024

It sounds like instead of cleaning the filter you want to buy a new one, wash the internal media of the old one, and put in the new?

VintageReefer · Jul 28, 2024

What cleaning is needed besides washing/ending the media in the filter? These are supposed to be easy to maintain. I don’t think you need to actually clean the canister

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

VintageReefer said:
It sounds like instead of cleaning the filter you want to buy a new one, wash the internal media of the old one, and put in the new?

Yeah, that was pretty much was I was going after. I already have another filter, (my cousin had an extra, and gave it to me). And instead of buying a boatload of new parts, and causing a lot of ruckus, I could just wash the media and put it into the new one.

TankChange · Jul 28, 2024

VintageReefer said:
What cleaning is needed besides washing/ending the media in the filter? These are supposed to be easy to maintain. I don’t think you need to actually clean the canister

When watching the video, I can’t exactly recall, but the guy said a lot of the parts should be cleaned, or replaced after awhile.

VintageReefer · Jul 28, 2024

Get an eheim canister or a sun sun canister. I have had both setup for 11 years. In that time I’ve only had to replace a gasket once. I’ve never had to clean motors or anything but replace levels of floss and periodically rinse certain media

jft · Jul 28, 2024

EHEIM FILTERS running 20 plus years. The Original and Still the Best IMO. I HAVE 4 2217 ON MULTIPLE Tanks Hugh media capacity and No problems and quiet as all get out.

VintageReefer · Jul 28, 2024

jft said:
EHEIM FILTERS running 20 plus years. The Original and Still the Best IMO. I HAVE 4 2217 ON MULTIPLE Tanks Hugh media capacity and No problems and quiet as all get out.

2215 user here. Probably running almost 15 years.