Transfering Good Bacteria

[Qays]

I know good bacteria builds up in the filter, and i will soon be converting from a smaller tank to a larger one.

I have to buy a new filter and tank - so, how do i transfer the good bacteria into the larger tank?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

You can either run the new filter in the old tank along side the old one for 3 weeks or so OR if you are moving all the fish to the new tank just run the old filter along side the new one for a few weeks OR take some media out of the old filter and put it in the new one, but add some fish at the same time to keep the bacteria alive. You can also add gravel and ornaments an plants from the old tank to the new one too to transfer a bit.

Emma

 

[Qays]

can i swish the old filter media in the new tank so that the bacteria is deposited in the water and sucked back into the filter?

 

[@ombomb]

can i swish the old filter media in the new tank so that the bacteria is deposited in the water and sucked back into the filter?

No...

Follows Emma's advice, it's spot on.

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

yeah emmas got it right swishing it around will not work

 

[Qays]

Ok, thanks!

If i was going to transfer some of the media into the new filter.
How long would i have to keep the bacteria filled media in the new tank for until it can support itself? or should i just leave it there?

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

3 weeks ish

 

[Dorkhedeos]

i actually think swishing it around will work if there are no fish in there. itll just take longer and you will have to add some waste to keep the bacteria running, and you will probably need a major water change after that because there will be crap everywhere

 

[smurfyy_2k3]

i really dont think it would work, there is nothing wrong with puting old filter media in the new filter and even if it did work are you willing to risk it?

 

[Nevergone815]

i personally would trust the "swishing" method to release an adequate amount of the beneficial bacteria into the tank. as with filter media "squeezes". i think that cloning is best (using cycled tank filter media, or running old filter and new together) is the best way to do this. any othetr method might result in a weaker bacteria colony and may not stand up to the stress that the new fish would add into the tank (ammonia and nitrite-wise)