How to switch to a new filter?

[CHOMPERS]

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?

The most effective way I have done it was to clean some filters (sponges in my case) and then use that water in the sump (wet/dry for me). I then plumbed the pump directly to the drip tray (no aquarium involved) and let it run for a week to allow the bacteria to grow onto the media. I fed the bacteria manually since it didn't have a means of housing fish.

 

[genEus]

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.

So I have two running right now and I can't wait to go back to having only one! The current is too strong with two, it's bending my corkscrew that's planted in the back in half, just because that's where I had to house the second filter, and I don't think my gouramis or loaches are really enjoying being schlepped around so much by moving water.