New Filter Fitted Media Question.

[ColR1948]

I recently had a leak in one of my tanks that is now fixed and I have it setup but not introduced the fish back in to it yet.
I also bought another filter mainly because I didn't like the old one and the fish used to get behind it and get trapped.
I bought a Fluval U4, I have one already in another tank so if I take one of the cartridges out of the established one and put it in the new one how long before the bacteria multiplies to make the tank cycled?
I still have the other filter running in a water tub containing the fish so I know I can take the foam out of that but I will have to cut it up to make it fit in to the narrow cartridges of the Fluval so back to my question, is it worth me doing that or just wait a little while longer for the other bacteria to multiply?

 

[star4]

If you put the new media inbetween the mature media it will take about 24 hours to colonise the new media. When I have to set up a tank I always use a bit of mature media from one of the other filters with new stuff, you can add the fish straight away.

 

[ColR1948]

OK thanks for the quick reply, the Fluval has 3 x cartridges, the 2 outside ones contain the foam and the middle one those white round ring things (the name escapes me sorry), so if I change one of the outside foam cartridges would that be alright?

 

[star4]

noodles, or ceramic rings yes that should be fine

 

[ColR1948]

Ha Ha, thanks again, you a living up to your name, you are a star.

 

[Aquascaper]

The timing is very much dependant on available ammonia/nitrites, temperature, flow rate, etc. so 24hrs is not a definite timescale (there is no set growth rate for bacteria in variable conditions).

The only way of telling for sure is once the filters are showing classic signs of being 'cycled' so do not assume that after 24hrs they are fully functioning and start stocking to capacity.

 

[raptorrex]

The timing is very much dependant on available ammonia/nitrites, temperature, flow rate, etc. so 24hrs is not a definite timescale (there is no set growth rate for bacteria in variable conditions).

The only way of telling for sure is once the filters are showing classic signs of being 'cycled' so do not assume that after 24hrs they are fully functioning and start stocking to capacity.

wise advice indeed.
I've tried, but i cant find any backup for a 24 hour rule.

also take care when using "noodles", not all are designed as bio meda.
some, like the Eheim, are designed purely as mechanical media.

 

[ColR1948]

OK thanks, I think in the filter I have the noodles are Biomax so I presume they are designed as bio media.
Also are you saying the 24 hour rule is wrong, not arguing just asking?

 

[Aquascaper]

Not wrong just unfounded, it may take a longer or shorter time depending on the many variables. As it would be to hard to control these variables accurately there can be no definitive 'x' hours to colonise 'y' amount of filter media.

The only way to be sure would be to test as you do with a fishless cycle.....'x' amount of ammonia processed in 12 hrs