New Filter Cycling

[electropunk06]

h i i have just got a new tank this morning and am not quite ready to set it up, but i have bought a fluval U2 filter and would like to know if i can put this filter in my existing tank (along side my existing filter) to start cycling it or should i wait until i get my new tank set up?
thanks

 

[mattlee]

it will be fine to use alongside the old filter but it may not fully cycle it depends on the amount of time its in there for. if your old filter is similar then adding some media from it in to the new filter and if left in the old tank until you set up the new one then it should seed the new filter sponges etc faster than just running it along side an already cycled filter. but dont forget the combination of the 2 filters will only cycle to the amount of fish currently stocked which is what your old filter is cycled to now. so when removing the new filter from the old tank into the new tank keep an eye on the water stats on both tanks and dont go crazy adding lots of fish into the new tank....

does that makes sense? i hope so!

 

[quicksand]

i think that would be fine.

 

[electropunk06]

it will be fine to use alongside the old filter but it may not fully cycle it depends on the amount of time its in there for. if your old filter is similar then adding some media from it in to the new filter and if left in the old tank until you set up the new one then it should seed the new filter sponges etc faster than just running it along side an already cycled filter. but dont forget the combination of the 2 filters will only cycle to the amount of fish currently stocked which is what your old filter is cycled to now. so when removing the new filter from the old tank into the new tank keep an eye on the water stats on both tanks and dont go crazy adding lots of fish into the new tank....

does that makes sense? i hope so!

yeah that makes sense, it should only be for a week or two but i know i am not patient enough so any time i can save cycling is better
thanks