How to switch to a new filter?

[genEus]

For my 20 gallon I decided to switch from my Aqueon (20 gallon size) to an AquaClear 200, quite a considerable upgrade, wouldn't you say??

And, I'm wondering how to switch over least painfully so that the new filter colonizes with the bacteria. Do I run both filters at the same time, or how?

Thanks!

 

[CHOMPERS]

Get another container (plastic storage tote will do) that is large enough to hang the AC 200 onto. Take the container into the kitchen and add enough dechlor for the volume of the container. Now get the filter pad from the old filter and clean it by spraying it off with the kitchen sinks sprayer. Catch the dirty water in the plastic container. If your tank has gravel, do a gravel vac and put that water in the plastic tote also. Now fill up the container and add the AC 200 and turn it on. Let it run on the plastic tote until the water is clean. You may need to stir up the water to keep the gunk in suspention. The idea is to get as much of the gunk (has the bacteria in it) from the old filter into the new filter as possible.

When the water is clear, the AC 200 will be ready to move to your aquarium. Keep the old filter in service for at least two weeks after adding the new one (it wouldn't hurt to have two filters).

 

[genEus]

Great reply, thanks! Things are a little bit more complicated as my tank is in my cubicle at work, so I don't have the luxury of being able to have a plastic container, a kitchen or a lot of space. I s'pose I could come in on the weekend and do this if I have to... But what I can easily do is run two filters at the same time. If I don't do the whole "initiation" procedure as you described, can I just skip to the part where I run two filters concurrently for a while?

 

[TwistedPenguin]

You could just take the sponge from the cycled filter and insert it in the new filter. That's how I've always done it.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Running both filters will work. It's good to have two filters anyway. Then you can clean one without disturbing the bacteria culture in the other.

 

[dsrowold]

What if going from H.O.B. to a sump? Do you vac the gravel and pour the water onto the filterpad and you are good to go?

 

[benzjamin13]

I would run both for the mean time and just unplug the other filter after a week or 2

 

[dad_jsp]

What if going from H.O.B. to a sump? Do you vac the gravel and pour the water onto the filterpad and you are good to go?

you missed the part out it being at his office

I am guessing the tank is very small, so he would need an even smaller tank to do a sump

just guessing on my end

I would run both filters for awhile, then remove the old one

 

[Slim2634]

Just run the old filter for a while. Maybe even cut a piece of the old filter sponge and mix it with the biomax.

 

[andyjs]

you missed the part out it being at his office

I am guessing the tank is very small, so he would need an even smaller tank to do a sump

just guessing on my end

I would run both filters for awhile, then remove the old one

I think he was asking for himself, not for the cubicle tank....

I would probably just take some media from the old filter, put it in the new one, and run both for about a week