Switching filters, is this safe?

[SLAYCHILD]

Im running a wet/dry filter from proclear as of now and now im wondering if I go to a sump, will it have to recycle over again? Or can I just do it?

[GaryP]

Slowly remove the bioballs so the bacteria in the rest of the tank will take over for the bioballs. When that is done you should be good to go.

[matt]

It kind of depends on your live rock and bioload, I believe. What some people were doing a while back when it became popular to switch from a wet-dry to a live rock filtration was to remove a portion of the bio-balls, say 25% a week, to give your live rock a chance to cultivate more bacteria and keep the bio filter from being overwhelmed. You have a little tank, and if you've got decent flow and 25 lbs or so of rock, plus maybe some sand, you could probably dump all the bio balls and be fine. I'd try taking out some, wait a day, test for ammonia, wait a while, repeat, etc...until they're gone. Someone else with experience doing this can probably answer more specifically.

[SLAYCHILD]

Ya that sounds good to me. Ive taken some out and replaced it with live rock rubble. Everything seem to be fine for now. I will start taking more out and see what happens, thanks

[bdare]

Slaychild,

I have the ProClear 75 slimline. My tank is still cycling, but I was also thinking of taking out the bioballs. Have you taken yours out yet? I was worried about the noise the water would make with out the balls.

Thanks,

B-Dare

[Flobex]

remember time is the key, don't rush this, or it could be a disaster. just watch your peramiters closlley, annd TAKE YOUR TIME :p

B-dare- i'd wait until your tannk coomplletley cycles, nnow put in about 1/4 roock, annd leave 3/4 bio-baalls, thenn when it cycles slowly switch it out.

[bdare]

Thanks for the input. Problem is, I've got a 36 gallon tank with 50lbs of LR. In addtion to the LR I've got the bio balls. I figure if there was a time to take em out it would be now before I put any animals in there.

What do you think?

[Richard]

Thanks for the input. Problem is, I've got a 36 gallon tank with 50lbs of LR. In addtion to the LR I've got the bio balls. I figure if there was a time to take em out it would be now before I put any animals in there.

What do you think?


I'd pull them out now rather than later.

[Shark_Bait]

I have the same wet/dry, and have complete this conversion already. Just do it in stages and you'll be fine. I added some rubble to the sump and that helped with the noice plus is a great place for copods to grow now.