Transferring filter to planted tank

Sd760 · 08-28-2011, 06:17 PM

I have a xp2 I just fixed from my cichlid tank. I'm using it in my planted 30 gallon. Or want to. Anyways my intake and out take have black? Colored algae growth on it. That tank was low low light and don't want the algae to possibly spread to my beautiful medium light planted tank where it could potentially do damage.

Here's a pic of the parts

NeonFlux · 08-28-2011, 06:34 PM

Have any Flourish Excel? I would mist it with some and place them in water, within a few hours or next day, they should be very white and dead; just scrape them off with a brush or something.

-Will

Sd760 · 08-28-2011, 08:44 PM

Do u think it is potentially dangerous? And I do have flourish excel. I'll do it.

DarkCobra · 08-28-2011, 08:59 PM

Regardless of whether it's dangerous, there is no better time than when you already have equipment out of the tank to give it a proper cleaning.

Save the Excel, IMO. It's expensive. Just soak it in water with a little bleach for a few minutes. Then scrub the outside with a sponge. Use a bottle brush on the insides if you have one (if not, consider getting one). Rinse well.

Plastic isn't porous, so it doesn't retain much bleach. Adding a little dechlorinator to your tank before installation will quickly mop up any remaining trace.

Sd760 · 08-29-2011, 02:32 AM

Awesome. Def bleached and scrubbed. My second question. I have an xp2 like i said befor. But it has a carbon bag it is 6 months old but should I leave the carbon or remove it? I do dose flourish excel and potassium sulfate. I have heard that carbon removes some nutrients I this true? How bad is it?

DarkCobra · 08-29-2011, 02:48 AM

It may or may not remove nutrients when new. Probably nothing to worry about.

But at six months old, it doesn't remove anything at all.

If you leave it in, it just provides an extra place for biofilter bacteria to grow.

08-28-2011, 06:17 PM	#1
Sd760 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/50%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Humboldt co. Posts: 500	Transferring filter to planted tank I have a xp2 I just fixed from my cichlid tank. I'm using it in my planted 30 gallon. Or want to. Anyways my intake and out take have black? Colored algae growth on it. That tank was low low light and don't want the algae to possibly spread to my beautiful medium light planted tank where it could potentially do damage. Here's a pic of the parts Attached Thumbnails

08-28-2011, 06:34 PM	#2
NeonFlux Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (109/100%) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 873	Have any Flourish Excel? I would mist it with some and place them in water, within a few hours or next day, they should be very white and dead; just scrape them off with a brush or something. -Will __________________ 55 gallon Low-tech Rainbowfish/Tetras Community planted tank 60 gallon Low-tech Community Cardinal Tetras planted tank 10 gallon Low-tech Planted Red Cherry Shrimp tank 10 gallon Low-tech Planted Sulawesi Cardinal Shrimp tank 10 gallon Low-tech OEBT/Rili Shrimp tank 250 gallon Community Bala Shark/Cichlids/Silver dollars/Loaches/Flagtail Prochilodus/Tinfoil barb/Roseline Sharks/Tetras Monster fish tank

08-28-2011, 08:59 PM	#4
DarkCobra Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,959	Regardless of whether it's dangerous, there is no better time than when you already have equipment out of the tank to give it a proper cleaning. Save the Excel, IMO. It's expensive. Just soak it in water with a little bleach for a few minutes. Then scrub the outside with a sponge. Use a bottle brush on the insides if you have one (if not, consider getting one). Rinse well. Plastic isn't porous, so it doesn't retain much bleach. Adding a little dechlorinator to your tank before installation will quickly mop up any remaining trace. __________________ Life happens. On semi-hiatus, checking in infrequently.

08-29-2011, 02:48 AM	#6
DarkCobra Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,959	It may or may not remove nutrients when new. Probably nothing to worry about. But at six months old, it doesn't remove anything at all. If you leave it in, it just provides an extra place for biofilter bacteria to grow. __________________ Life happens. On semi-hiatus, checking in infrequently.

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08-28-2011, 08:44 PM	#3
Sd760 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/50%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Humboldt co. Posts: 500	Do u think it is potentially dangerous? And I do have flourish excel. I'll do it.

08-29-2011, 02:32 AM	#5
Sd760 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/50%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Humboldt co. Posts: 500	Awesome. Def bleached and scrubbed. My second question. I have an xp2 like i said befor. But it has a carbon bag it is 6 months old but should I leave the carbon or remove it? I do dose flourish excel and potassium sulfate. I have heard that carbon removes some nutrients I this true? How bad is it?