Can I Replace Old Filter Without Cycling Again?

[barb-e]

I'm not actually new to freshwater tanks. I have had a 10 gallon tank for four years and I have been using the same filter that whole time (Whisper kind that hangs off the back). It gets clogged a lot now and the water doesn't really flow out, it just kind of drizzles out (if that makes sense). I would like to replace the filter but I don't want to have to cycle the tank again. Would that be necessary, if I don't alter the gravel, maybe if I put the old media in the tank with the new media while it establishes it's bacterial colonies??? Any other suggestions?

 

[AnimalHouse36]

You could simply purchase a new filter and leave them both in the tank for a month or two to be sure the new one has established bacteria, then take the old one out!

 

[SchottayB]

Put the sponges from the old filter in the new filter OR run both filters in the tank for a while (think it's over a month) that way your old filter will seed the new filter.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

Put the sponges from the old filter in the new filter OR run both filters in the tank for a while (think it's over a month) that way your old filter will seed the new filter.

+1 This is how I cycled my fry tank. I took part of the filter media from my established tank and put it in the filter of my fry tank.

 

[Dav]

I can only echo what has been said use your old media and put it in the new filter