Can I Cycle A New Filter In A Tank With My Old One

[shelaghfishface]

hi

have been upgrading my filters to better ones, but was wondering if i can just put them in a tank while the other cycled one is still running or do i need to start all over again,and would i get high nitrites and traces of ammonia etc, also approx how long would it take to cycle the new filter and how will i know when its ready( assuming no nitrites etc- as i dont see why there should be. given that the old filter is in there)

thanks for your advice,

shelagh xxxxx


oh, will it help if i squeeze my old sponge onto my new one??

 

[onlinebug]

Cut snippets of your bacteria infested sponge and put them in your new filter. Run your new filter in your tank and just wait.

 

[littlest]

are you going to still be using the old filter? If not, take all the media out of there and bung it into the new one.
Otherwise, tank half the media from the old one and put it in the new one (replace what you take out with new media). Run them alongside for a while and after a couple weeks you should have two fully cycled filters.
Given that you have all the bacteria you need, you shouldn't have to go through another cycle

 

[doresy]

Hi, as previous member suggested, if you have similar media in your old and new filter why not just cut them both in half and swap over. That way you will maintain your bacteria to deal with your fish stock. The bacteria will then spead over the entire meadia in both filters.

Do realise though the total amount of bacteria in both filters will remain at a level to deal with the bioload of your present fish stock. In other words, say both filters are now in a 15 gallon tank with 10 fish, after time you cannot just take one out and put it straight in another 15 galloner with 10 fish without close monitoring and water changing.

 

[raptorrex]

are you going to still be using the old filter? If not, take all the media out of there and bung it into the new one.
Otherwise, tank half the media from the old one and put it in the new one (replace what you take out with new media). Run them alongside for a while and after a couple weeks you should have two fully cycled filters.
Given that you have all the bacteria you need, you shouldn't have to go through another cycle

depends on the design of the new filter. if you can add the original media to the new filter. then replace each bit, over time, till the new filter has the new media in. if there is room put all the media in the new filter and remove one bit at a time till its all gone

Do realise though the total amount of bacteria in both filters will remain at a level to deal with the bioload of your present fish stock. In other words, say both filters are now in a 15 gallon tank with 10 fish, after time you cannot just take one out and put it straight in another 15 galloner with 10 fish without close monitoring and water changing.

a valid point if you are going to seed the filter by running two at the same time.

 

[shelaghfishface]

yes valid points from everyone.
Doresy, thats something i would never of considered,( about the load), but the spomges are not even similar, so i guess it will have to be the first suggestion,,
i have to say tho, i did think it would be a simple case of put the new filter in, keep the old one going and voila!!lol but then im a simple sort of lady
i will do reg tests just to make sure all is going well
thanks everone xxxxx

 

[OldMan47]

Shelaghfishface, your simple answer is not far off the mark. Just placing the new filter on the tank with the old one will expose it to the bioload in your existing tank even though the old one is dealing with it at the time. In 2 or 3 weeks, the filters will be sharing the load. At that point you could move one to a new tank and it would be ready for a small bioload. The other suggestions about moving around media would cut the needed time quite a bit but your simple answer will work. I have used that method when the filters are just not similar enough to transfer media.

 

[raptorrex]

Shelaghfishface, your simple answer is not far off the mark. Just placing the new filter on the tank with the old one will expose it to the bioload in your existing tank even though the old one is dealing with it at the time. In 2 or 3 weeks, the filters will be sharing the load. At that point you could move one to a new tank and it would be ready for a small bioload. The other suggestions about moving around media would cut the needed time quite a bit but your simple answer will work. I have used that method when the filters are just not similar enough to transfer media.

true, it will however leave you first filter with a diminished colony, as i am sure someone has already said. i guess perhaps overfeeding for the period may help. seeding with mature media, say from a filter clean, would get you to the same place instantly. with less chance of colony die off, in the first filter. imo