Changing My Filter Pads For New Ones Would This Affect My Cycle?

I have a new external filter on its way and the filter pads I am using just now (coarse+med) need replaced due to holes and allowing debris through.

If I was to change these out would it affect my cycle ? I will obviously be putting the ceramic rings I have into my new canister so its an instant cycle as well as adding more bio ceramic balls.

Thanks.

 

Nope. Filter pads and floss are changed millions of times a day. However, put that old floss in your new canister to cycle it faster.

 

Nope. Filter pads and floss are changed millions of times a day. However, put that old floss in your new canister to cycle it faster.

Well the canister would be already cycled due to the media that is already cycled? It would just be the new media i'm adding that wouldn't be cycled yet.

 

Well the canister would be already cycled due to the media that is already cycled? It would just be the new media i'm adding that wouldn't be cycled yet.

Yes, sorry. Read that as a new canister.

 

Yes, sorry. Read that as a new canister.

No problem. Just double checking myself before I make a mistake that's all.

Thank you.

 

When throwing away the old pads you will lose a small amount of bacteria but your biomedia will have most of it so I wouldn't be concerned. If you wish you could squeeze out the old pads and soak it up with the new ones but I doubt if it's necessary.

 

Here is a suggestion, if there are any void spaces in the new canister's baskets from the media not filling them up the entire way, cut up the old pads and place them in the new filter.

Depending on the model/design of your new canister, there may be also a void space between the bottom of the 1st basket and the bottom of the canister body.

You can place some cut up squares of old foam pads there. They will catch some of the larger muck that enters the canister before the water flows back upward through the baskets.

If any cut up pieces of old media can be re-used, it will transfer extra beneficial bacteria over.