Filter transplantation

[thijs]

I recently moved in with my girlfriend and for a couple of reasons I decided to buy a new tank (325 litres in stead of 200 litres). Because the existing filter has enough capacity i wanted to keep using that one and place it on the new tank. The only problem is that my fish should still stay in the old tank until the new aquarium was cycled and all. So i planned to use my really old filter that i had in storage for my old tank until the fishes are all relocated.
All well and fine until i discovered that the rubber to keep the filter watertight is missing this evening . I am not eager to buy a filter for this purpose only and i am a bit at a loss what to do now? Can i keep the fishes alive in the old tank with some aeration by an airpump and regular waterchanges or should i plan for a more creative solution?

Ow, and i have a bout a month and a half before i have to remove the tank from my old house.

Tank stocking for extra info:

3 Synodontis mbandata
1 Synodontis nigriventis
3 Ctenopoma weeksi
3 Pantodon bucholzi
6 Alestopetersius caudalis

Thank you in advance

[rcbows]

Are you sure the Filter rubber is missing or just dried out? I had a similar problem recently when I went to get some older HOB filters I had put in storage! The o-rings that seal the magnetic pump to the housing had dried out and would not seal. I just took them off stretched them a little applied "Vaseline" to them and "Viola' they were as good as new, well almost at least they sealed! They also make a o-ring lube for these but in a pinch "Vaseline" works just as well.

Ron

[thijs]

Unfortunately missing. I stored it in the basement for several years, so i could have known something would go wrong.....

[naturalart]

Hi thijs, the answer in my opinion is yes. An appropriate sized air filter with a vigorous flow should do the trick. Air filtration is great!

[naturalart]

But I don't think I've ever heard of a species S. mbandata?

[Bas Pels]

What do you need the filtration for?

If it is water movement, try an airstone. It will move a lot of water, but obviously it will not filter any water.

Still for a few weeks, it might suffice

[kvnbyl]

any of the big on line retailers should have the replacement o ring, sounds like you have some time to order it and break the filter in. instead of an air stone you could use a sponge filter. they come in various sizes and work really well and again you have the time to make sure that the sponge filter is populated with good bacteria. there is a pop up ad at planet catfish, swiss tropical is the name. I just discovered their sponge filters. the quality is impressive, enough so I was able to retire 5 fluval 405s. one of these might be an option also

[thijs]

Well, after Bas his comment I went ahead and just placed an airstone in the tank. The filter is now running in my new tank. And now I can only wait and see.

Thank you all for your usefull comments. Next time I will prepare myself better and buy a small sponge filter to do the job.

[thijs]

And about the Mbandata. It is an unindentified Syno probably caught near Mbandata, congo. It is very similar to S decora but mine are still small. I will make pictures after I catch them for iidetification.

[Bas Pels]

You got them from Utaka?

[thijs]

Yup, do you accidentilly know what they are?