Lexar169

OK, i was thinking about something. (oh no) If i added a new filter to an already cycled tank alongside the coexisting one (if i wanted to upgrade the older one) and had them both running for awhile so that the new one could build the necessary bacteria before removing the old one. Would that work?

DRock914

I think it would. What filter do you have and what filter are you looking at getting?

bolivianbaby

Yes, it would. I run two filters on most of my tanks at all times. Then whenever MTS strikes me, I pull a filter from an established tank to cycle another tank.

Beth1965

Good thinking, I usually use some media floating around the tank or in the filter itself.

Jaysee

That would work. There is a small amount of bacteria that is in the water that is looking for a new place to colonize. However, to speed things up dramaticly, you can put a piece of the old filter media in with the new filter media. Transferring an established colony will get your new filter ready in a matter of days, because the established colony grows much faster than relying on the minute concentrations of bacteria in the water to take hold and multiply.

Lexar169

i have an aqueon 10 now. I was gonna look into some others that people have recommended within the forums.

So as an added benefit i can take one of them (after it's ready) to start up a new tank as well?

Jaysee

I highly recomend an aquaclear 20 for your 10 gallon.

Yes, that's the best/fastest/easiest way to start new tanks.

Lexar169

"takes note" i will definitely look into that. thanks

Jaysee

If you think you might end up with more than a couple tanks, aquaclears are the best IMO. AC filters have seperate biological/chemical and mechanical media, so there are no cartridges to buy. The only thing in an AC that has to be changed is the carbon pack. I don't use carbon, so I take advantage of that extra space to put extra bags of biomax (biomedia). This way, when I start a new tank, or when I set up a QT, I just pull a bag from an existing filter and I'm good.

Another thing you can do is to get a simple sponge filter and leave it in the main tank. When you start a new tank, you can take the sponge, cut it up so it'll fit in your new filter (doesn't matter how it fits) and put a new one on so t'll be ready for next time (sponges are cheap). This is also a good system for QTs, in which case you would just transfer the whole sponge filter.

DRock914

I also recommend the AC brand. I have an Aqueon 20 and I had to rig it so it wouldn't lose the cycle every time you need to change the cartridge. Every other tank in the house has an AC and they have been perfect for the past 20 years.

Lexar169

yeah, i think im going to rig up my aqueon like i seen somewhere on here lol. Is there a spacific kind of sponge? and what is an IMO.
id look around for the what an imo is but im at work running around

DRock914

It was probably mine you saw but I'll post it again to give you an idea. I used an AC biomax 20 and cut an AC sponge in half. The AC sponge I use is a 150 but it is maybe 15 years old and was before the company got bought out by Hagen so I don't know if it is the same name today.
IMO = in my opinion.

Attached Images

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Elvishswimmer

IMO is short terms for In My Opinion
You may also see IMHO, which is In My Humble Opinion.

Lexar169

Yeah it was yours. thanks for the re post. when i get home ill print it out for a reference. yeah...been awhile for me and the forum shortcuts. i assume
AC is activ carbon? im unsure
i need to catch up badly..

DRock914

AC = aquaclear for my posts