Upgrading Filters

[Buggsfish]

I bought a new filter for my 30gal about 3 weeks ago, my tank was already cycled and had fish in it, it's been running since December. I understand that just switching filters would cause my tank to cycle again, which I didn't want since I already have several fish in the tank. I've been running both the new filter and the old filter together since I got the new one, I was wondering how long do I need to keep the old one on my tank to be sure the new one has grown bacteria?

 

[gbailey141]

Hi there,

Is there any way you can take the old filter media and put that in your new filter? If you can then you can pretty much swap them straight over. If not then maybe at least a month for the bacteria to build up in the new filter. Someone else on here might have a more accurate figure tho.

Gav

 

[roadmaster]

Depending on pH, and temperatures,Three weeks would prolly be sufficient, but four would offer me more comfort.

 

[Buggsfish]

Last night I took my stats, they were:
pH 7.6
amonia 0
nitrIte 0
nitrAte 10

I'm not sure if they old filter will fit on the new. They're both hang on back filters. My mom gave me a 10 yr old magnum canister, but one of the clips to hold the top is missing, and I can't get it to seal, I changed all the gaskets. Money's tight and it's been severly under filtered with an old filter from a smaller tank I tore down for a pacman...

 

[drobbyb]

I usually recommend 6 weeks running side by side. If the old filter media will not fit, you can speed up the process by taking some of the media from the old filter and place it directly in the new one making sure that the old media physically comes into contact with the new.