voiceless_kat

I am going to be changing the filter in my 55g to an Emperor 400 Bioweel. Do I just switch them, or is there some prep I should do regarding the bio wheels/mechanical and chemical filtration?

Current filter is HOB Aquaclear, has 2 bio filters and 2 chemical(carbone) filters. It works well, quiet, no problems, but the new one, is a stronger filter ( for up to 80gallons).

I am worried that if I just pull the current filter, I will lose the cycle.

Help and advice please and thanks.

Val

susitna-flower

Very good point. Can you run both for awhile? I might suggest just doing this, unless you want to use your old filter in another tank.

At any rate, your should in the very least use some of the filter media out of the old filter in the new for about 2 weeks......

COBettaCouple

If you can't run both at the same time, you could either put the filter media from your old filter in the new one or if not, maybe put the filter media in a pantyhose sock and hang it in the tank for a week or 2.

Tavel

The best thing to do would be weaning off the old one. Run both for 2 days, then turn the flow down on the old one. After two days, take out half the media, after two more days take out the rest. Then after one more day, take the old one off completely.

voiceless_kat

I cannot run both of them at the same time,& it is a canopied tank....I may try putting the filter media from the old into the new, as well as the biological filter. And then may add a good dose of bio spira.
How does that sound??

COBettaCouple

Sounds good.

hssea

I think if you use the filter media and insert in into the new filter (along with the new filters media in there also) you wont have any problems. It would "seed" the new media easily . I don't see a need to buy bio-spira, considering its cost

capekate

Hi Val,
that sounds like a good plan! And you still have some bio-spira left over on hand anyway right?
Good luck with your new filter... hope it works out well. It sounds like you will not really be messing up the cycle by doing it this way.

~ kate