Adding A Brand New Filter

[curiousgeorge]

Just wanting to double check something

Have a fluval 1200 duo deep, set up with Malawi's, tank is running a fluval 4+ internal and fluval 205 external.

I have a fluval 305 external to add, and remove the internal (will be going in fry tank), now is it ok to remove the internal filter and clean in tank water. Then wash/rinse all the new media from the 305 with the water from cleaning the internal before adding it to the new tank.

Does this make sense/ correct??

Thanks

 

[Ferris]

That won't work unfortunately. You will need to run both filters side by side for around 4 weeks to enable the new filter to build up enough of a bacteria colony to maintain the tank.

If you just swap the filters over, even if the new media is soaked in tank water, your tank will re-cycle and you don't want that.

EDIT - Just noticed you have a 205 aswell. That still may not be enough to prevent the tank from cycling so i wouldn't take the risk. Run all 3 for a few weeks to be on the safe side and then removed the internal.

 

[curiousgeorge]

Would setting it up on an 60l and letting it cycle suffice?

60l is empty right now

 

[Ferris]

I don't see why not - obviously you will need to do a fishless cycle in the 60 liter by adding ammonia or nothing will happen.

IMO though it would be much simpler (and safer) to run the new filter in the tank it's intended for alongside the others and let it cycle in there.

 

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks again...so running all 3 it is then

You can never over filter right....hahahah

 

[Ferris]

You can never over filter right

 

[iairj84]

He's right, just keep the new filter runnning alongside the old one for a couple weeks and it will allow the new filter to build up enough beneficial bacteria, then you can take out whichever filter you'd like

 

[andypo20]

can you over filter a tank???

my 190l is is turned over approx 16 x per hour.....

 

[iairj84]

nope, the only time overfiltering a tank would be bad is more on the current side of things. If the outflows on your filters are stopping the fish from naturally swimming then it can be an issue but other than that it wouldn't be a problem... A little overkill maybe but it shouldn't hurt anything.