New Fluval 305, What To Do?

[Plecc]

Hi all,

Just got my new filter!

Can anyone advise what to do next?
Do i keep running my old filter as well as the new one for a couple of weeks to allow the bio filter a chance to get established.
Or just put as much as i can of the old media into the new filter?

Plecc.

 

[erk628]

Hi all,

Just got my new filter!

Can anyone advise what to do next?
Do i keep running my old filter as well as the new one for a couple of weeks to allow the bio filter a chance to get established.
Or just put as much as i can of the old media into the new filter?

Plecc.

I would run them both together unti you new filter is complety cycled and mature and is able the cycle on its own.

 

[waterdrop]

If you decide to run them together I'd allow a month at the very least. Transfer of the autotrophic bacteria via simply running two filters on the same tank has been reported as being quite slow.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[erk628]

If you decide to run them together I'd allow a month at the very least. Transfer of the autotrophic bacteria via simply running two filters on the same tank has been reported as being quite slow.

~~waterdrop~~

Waterdrop do you think running both would be the best method in this case? I'm just afraid that if he tried to tranfer most of the filter media over that it may cause a mini-cycle.

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't see why transferring media would be a problem. You can fit lots of media into an external.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with "the skull"... Although its true you can get a "blip" or "mini-cycle" sometimes when transferring MM, its still the best way to go and an external cannister filter is among the best (because of the large open nature of the "baskets" inside to hold media) for receiving MM from all sorts of odd sources.

Not only that but you can always clean (squeeze or swish) the media you are transferring in the water of the new tank just prior to placing it in the filter of the new tank so that it will be un-clogged when it goes in, but the debris and any bacteria on it can then hopefully be sucked through the tank input and more generally sprinkled throughout both the old and new media that's now within the new filter.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[doresy]

Basically if you transfer all the media from your old filter into the new one and don't increase your stock level then I cannot see why things don't continuue as before? I have the 305 and did exactly that myself.

*Edit* If you run the 2 filters together yes it will 'seed' the new filter. But, as I see it, the amount of bacteria needed to process the toxins from your stock will end up being divided between the 2 filters thus when one is removed so will half the bacteria.

Transfering all the media gets my vote

 

[loraxchick]

Basically if you transfer all the media from your old filter into the new one and don't increase your stock level then I cannot see why things don't continuue as before? I have the 305 and did exactly that myself

ive done this too several times with 0 problems. if the fish load is the same it shouldnt matter in the least. just transfer all the media you are able into the new filter (and test/waterchange accordingly ifa small cycle should occur..never had it happen myself).
cheers