changing the filter

[xbanditsx]

I want to put a new filter cartridge into my Whisper Mini but I am worried about the bacteria colony. The new filter won't have any bacteria on it, so is it going to be able to deal with ammonia, or is it going to have to cycle again? Is there some way I can change the cartridge and preserve the colony?

 

[Crystal]

leave the old filter in the tank for a week or two (I might be wrong) after you replace it, to give the bacteria time to grow on the new filter.

 

[a1wonder]

There should be enough good bateria in your tank so that you don't have another cycle it only should take a few days before that filter is worked in and up to snuff. Just don't change the water and you should be fine.

 

[Crystal]

why would you not change your water? the benificial bacteria is on surfaces, not in the water.

 

[clutterydrawer]

I'm not sure how the whisper mini works but would it be possible to cut the media in half and use half new and half old for a bit, then replace the old with the rest of the new?

 

[Angry_Platy]

With my ACs, there is the foam filter insert which sits in a rather large basket which is made to hold the foam filter as well as the carbon filter insert. Since I only ever use the fam insert it leaves plenty of excess room.

2 weeks before I change the old foam I put the new one in there....after the two weeks it has enough of the beneficial bacteria to be able to handle the tanks ammonia levels...

It also helps if you have 2 filters running the tank...then you can alternate the changing so it doesn't affect the tank at all if any....

 

[The-Wolf]

I would take out the old media and rinse it in the tank, [yes this will make the tank cloudy] as the new filter draws in the dirty water it will also draw in the bacteria.