I Want To Replace My Filter Without Upsetting The Cycle?

[Ishyfishy]

Hi

I've just bought a new filter and want to replace my 2x existing smaller filters in my tank - how do I go about doing this??

My tank is fully cycled and I want to replace with a fluval 3+ as it is cheaper to run (6watts!).

I want to do the following, is this right?
My plan is to rinse the media sponge from both small filters into a bucket of tank wanter. Then I will put my new sponge from my fluval filter into the bucket to absorb the old water and then put the sponge into my new filter and then into the tank. I was thinking of temporarily running my 2x old filters in a seperate tank just in case I srew the whole thing up.

I waited 4months to cycle my tank - I couldn't go through all that again!!

Regards

Ishyfishy

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you've two choices really, either one should work with no cycle needed.

1 - transfer media from the old filter to the new filter, then just turn off the old filter and turn the new one on.

2 - run old and new filters in tandem for a month, then turn off the old filters and remove them.

my preference would be for the first

 

[waterdrop]

Its important to note very carefully that MW has recommended that you do something significantly different from what you described. What you described (squeezing your old media in tank water, then putting your new media into that tank water to take up "the squeezings") will not work. What she decribes -will- work.

The old media from the old filters needs to be directly inside the new filter, along with the new media (whatever it takes, you have to somehow make this work.) The bacteria you want will adhere tightly to the old media, they will not float about and be easily taken up by the new media in a short bath together. The media need to be side by side for many weeks, so that small numbers of bacteria can begin to adhere to the new media and multiply.

I agree also that method 1 will usually be faster (putting the media into the new filter.) Method 2, running them both in the same tank is also a reliable method and will work, but I believe usually will take a bit longer on average, from what I"ve read here on TFF.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Ishyfishy]

Hi

I think i'll go for option 1 - putting the old media directly in the new filter. However, it will be a bit difficult, as the sponge from the old filter is too small.

However, I was thinking of cutting the new media pad, so I can directly insert the old pad into it - what do you think guys (and ladies)?

Hi

Also, if I go for option 1 (putting the old media into the new filter), can I take my old filters out of the tank straight away?

Regards

Ishyfishy

 

[fishsupper]

Hi could you tell us what make your old filters are

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, if you do it right there will be no reason not to take the old filters out right away and all the useful biomedia will now be in the new filter. Its worth working at it so that the overall pad fittings are tight. You may be able to cut the older sponges into slivers and still use the intact new sponge for its tight fit, with the slivers of old sponge below or above the new one somehow. You'll want to keep the old spoge material damp throughout the process.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Rooster]

Hi

I think i'll go for option 1 - putting the old media directly in the new filter. However, it will be a bit difficult, as the sponge from the old filter is too small.

However, I was thinking of cutting the new media pad, so I can directly insert the old pad into it - what do you think guys (and ladies)?

Hi

Also, if I go for option 1 (putting the old media into the new filter), can I take my old filters out of the tank straight away?

Regards

Ishyfishy

Feel free to trim the new sponges, to allow the old ones to fit... but try NOT to squash the sponges - you need a good water flow through them.
Put the old sponges into the new filter and leave them there for a month or more, then you can remove them if you wish, and replace the new cut off bit you removed in the first place (this will be recolonised too !)

If you do this method, you can remove the old filter straight away.

This is preferred method, if you dont plan on using the old filters ASAP... you can remove the old filter(s) and clean them before storage (unless you are chucking them away - might be usefull later ?) If you dont clean them, and allow them to dry, its a LOT harder task to get them clean again.

After a month or more (you could leave the old sponges in there forever if you like) you could reclaim the old sponges, clean them and reunite them with the old filters for future use... If you are going to use them at this stage, then they are fully cycled and just need popping in the new tank(s) !

 

[Ishyfishy]

Hi

I think I'll be alright putting my old filter pads from my interpet filter into the new filter.

However, I'm not going to be able to put the pads from my other filter (elite) in the new filter as well, because they are too bulky!! Therefore, I will leave the elite filter running for one month with my new filter. What do you reckon?

Regards


Ishyfishy

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Hi

I think I'll be alright putting my old filter pads from my interpet filter into the new filter.

However, I'm not going to be able to put the pads from my other filter (elite) in the new filter as well, because they are too bulky!! Therefore, I will leave the elite filter running for one month with my new filter. What do you reckon?

Regards


Ishyfishy

sounds good, you should transfer plenty of mature media over, but incase something goes wrong you've some redundancy built in and the elite filter is mature so should help avoid any mini cycle. perfect solution i'd say!

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, sounds good to me too.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Rooster]

Gets my vote !
Please keep us updated.... this sort of thing comes up time and time again, and is good reading !

 

[Ishyfishy]

Hi folks

Thanks for all your sound advice - I will be going ahead with the filter change today, and I will keep everyone posted of the outcome!

Regards


Ish