CoryMac

how long does it take to seed a filter to help cycle my new 40 gal tank??

agabr123

i'd give it at least a month, that should let enough bacteria build up

BlowPhish

Good question. I'm wondering the same thing. Regular filter cleaning calls for replacing half of the media at a time so if a fully established tank can be fine with half new media then a new filter with half dirty media shouldn't take very long you would think. Then again there is also good bacteria in the substrate and decorations.........

I've taken my bio balls from my established filter and put them into my new xp3 canister. Then I left the old filter running on the tank as well but who knows how long it will take. I'm guessing 2 weeks until its safe.

CoryMac

But if have a bio wheel you can change the filter(s) with no worry right.

BlowPhish

Here is another similar thread with some info on the subject. new filter!

agabr123

i tried the same thing thinking the same thing but unfortunately found that there just isnt enough bacteria in the wheel to keep a tank cycled (depending on the size of the filter and the size of the tank)

CoryMac

This is my plan to cycle my 40 gal tank.

* Fill the tank up with dechlorinated water with "prime" as well use "stability".

* Use gravel from my established tank & one of my oldest "Anacharis" plant.

* Install my aqua clear powerhead with quick filter from my established tank, quick filter im sure has tons of beneficial bacteria.

* When i do a water change for my established tank,the water i take out from there I'll put that water in my cycling tank "no gravel vac"

* Power filter with seeded filter from established tank

CoryMac

penguin 300 in a 20 gal long<-- soon to be a 40 gal.i think it also depends how old the bio wheel is and how much bacteria it has.