Two Different Filters

[Dark Wolf]

So i'm wanting to set up a bigger tank and i have a smaller tank that has already cycled.

Thing is on my smaller tank i have an external filter, where as the bigger one has an internal media. Now the actual sponge for these are completely different. The external is a bit wierd almost like some sort of cotton wool i.e. it seems to have been put together in layers.

Where as the internal filter is a fluval, and so the sponge is a lot more sponge like. There also doesn't seem to be much room in the internal filter to put this matured media in, would i have to cut some out of it so that it could fit?

Am i able to use this filter media from the external one, or will it not work very well?

 

[Rooster]

Setup the new tank, get the filter running and as air free as possible, then squeeze some of the "gunk" from the old filter into the new tank near the filter intake.
Dont forget, the new filter needs feeding ! ...

 

[Dark Wolf]

and would that leave enough of the friendly bacteria on the sponge, so that i could put it back, and not have to worry about any rises in ammonia or nitrite?

 

[Rooster]

Yes.... you are not "washing it out" just give it a few squeezes, enough to dislodge a visible "cloud" .... you should be rinsing the media periodically anyway, its does it good and ensures a good flow through the sponge - essential for healthy bacteria.