New filter, mature tank

[MattW]

Going to be setting up a new canister filter today. The tank is matured and cycled. Should I cut up the old filter sponges and put them in the new one to seed? I have 3 different types of sponge in the old one, fine to coarse, which would hold the most BB? Or should I just run the new one with no old media?

TIA

 

[Magnum Man]

can you run both filters for a week or two??? or did the old filter fail??

 

[MattW]

can you run both filters for a week or two??? or did the old filter fail??

Sadly I don't have enough outlets to run both simultaneously . The old filter is running perfectly fine. The reason for the new one is that it has a higher turnover and a built-in heater, meaning I am less likely to have temp swings and have better overall filtration.

 

[Essjay]

I would use all the old media in the new filter, to start with at least. Does the filter contain more media than the old one or the same amount? If it's more, just replace some of the new with the old and fill any gaps with new even if it means cutting old and/or new media up. Leave it running like that for a month then replace some of the old media with new. After a couple of weeks, replace some more and so on till it's all new. I do realise that means more work opening an external filter but it'll keep the fish safe during the transition.

 

[MattW]

I would use all the old media in the new filter, to start with at least. Does the filter contain more media than the old one or the same amount? If it's more, just replace some of the new with the old and fill any gaps with new even if it means cutting old and/or new media up. Leave it running like that for a month then replace some of the old media with new. After a couple of weeks, replace some more and so on till it's all new. I do realise that means more work opening an external filter but it'll keep the fish safe during the transition.

The old filter was pure sponge in one compartment (3 tiers of sponge), while this one has 3 compartments: 2 sponges and one for the heater with bio rings. Thinking about it now, I could use up one compartment for 2 of the old sponges and the heater compartment for half of an old sponge.

Old filter :

New Filter :

 

[Essjay]

I've swapped filters in the past by cutting sponges up to make them fit. You could get away with using two thirds of the old media - we often say it's safe to use one third of mature media to kick start the cycle in a new tank.
I have no idea whether coarse or fine sponge holds more bacteria. I would use two of the old sponges, whichever are easier to work with, and somehow 'persuade' them to fit the new filter.
Which way does water flow through the new filter? It's often suggested to put the old media first in the direction of water flow to wash any loose bacteria-containing biofilm into the new media.

 

[MattW]

Left compartment is water in. That can either flow over or under the dividers towards the middle compartment where the pump is for the return to the tank. The right side for the heater so water is pulled from that compartment into the middle. I’ll mash 2 of the old sponges into the left compartment

 

[GaryE]

I too would use half old media. But I'll add - keep the old filter. I would use the sponge most like what's provided.

A well made canister should run for 10 to 15 years, but a heater has a short life, relative to that. So with integrated systems, you usually end up back at square one within 5 years, sometimes less.

 

[MattW]

Filter is up and running! Ended up putting the coarse and medium sponge in the first compartment. It has a very powerful output compared to the old filter.

The filter can have the heater removed if needed. The base model of this filter doesn’t have a heater but a heater pack can be bought separately and fitted. So if I do end up with a broken heater I can buy another one