Will Adding Another Filter Cartridge Mess Up The Bacteria Balance?

[CoryLover95]

Hi,
I have a 37-gallon community tank as well as a10 gallon that I use for quarantine.  I'd like to put a 10 gallon size filter cartridge in the 37-gallon's filter (along with the cartridge for the 37-gallon filter) so I'll have a cycled filter media when I need it.  Will it mess up the bacteria balance at all?
Thanks,
CL95

 

[Livewire88]

Once the new media is added to the 37 gallon's filter the existing bacteria will spread on to it over a short period of time, so in the future if you remove this piece of media you will be removing a percentage of the filters bacteria colony.
 
So if you remove the media you will need to monitor the water stats to make sure ammonia/nitrite is not building up whilst the bacteria grows back to the amount is was before you removed the media. If you do get a build up of ammonia or nitrite do some big water changes to keep them in check till the filter is back up to speed. 
 
Cheers
Dan

 

[Boyden]

I've been mulling over this exact scenario.  Thank
 

 

[CoryLover95]

Thanks Livewire88!