Jim W

Sorry for my first post being a question and not my intro, I'll do an intro later, I just have this quicky question.


I want to switch over to a canister style filter. My tank has been up for a little over a month. I am currently using a Peguin Bio Wheel.

The question is....is it safe to just turn that one off and install a new one? Will a couple of days without an established biological filter be a big deal? If so, what other alternatives do I have. Should I run both for a week or so? (if I can manage to find a place to get them both installed)


tank is 38 gallon, stocked with about 13 fish and 13 or so live plants.


thanks and I look forward to spending lot's of time here. 8)

Jim

Isabella

Hi Jim, and welcome to Fish Lore

If you want to change filter for a new one, it would be best if you ran BOTH filters (new and old one) for about a month. This is because the new filter will not have the beneficial bacteria established, which are supposed to keep your tank cycled. It takes about a month for the bacteria to establish in the filter. So, just keep the new and the old filter running on your tank for a month, and after that month, take off the old filter. The new filter should be established by then. If you want to be 100% sure it gets established, keep the two filters running for about 6 weeks.

To check whether the tank is being kept cycled after you take off the old filter, you can test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. When ammonia and nitrite both equal zero, that means the tank is cycled and OK.

Good Luck

JP

You could also take the filter media out of the old filter and stuff it in with the canister's media. It'll save you that extra space and also help seed the new filter.

Jim W

Thanks to both of you.



Jim

Isabella

You're welcome