Upgrading my tank filter to 40 gallon questions

(I wasn’t sure which discussion to put this in)
Hello! I’m going to be upgrading from a 20 gallon long tank to a 40 gallon breeder and I’m wondering if my aquaclear 50 and a aquarium co-op medium sponge filter will be enough filtration?
If I give the sponge filter enough time to build BB should I then put my aquaclear filter in the 40 gallon since it has the most BB? I’m still fairly new to all of this. And when I do upgrade and switch filters I should add Ammonia to the 40 gallon to cycle it, correct?
Hopefully that all makes sense. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

If you are moving your existing filters and tank decor from your 20 to the 40 then there shouldn’t be a need to add ammonia as it should already be cycled - you will have transferred it all from one tank to the other so you can move the fish across. Just keep an eye on your parameters just in case, and make sure your filter media doesn’t dry out, and you should be fine.

 

Yes all good as long as you just don’t add new fish. Your existing filter has enough bacteria in it to take care of your existing fish. Being a larger tank the fish waste is being diluted by the more water. But over time you will need a larger filter. You want something that came move 6 to 8 times the volume of the tank. You can move all the media in the existing filter into the new filter or run 2 filters at once.

 

I run a AC 50 and an AC 70 in my 40 gallon breeder. The 50 would not be good enough alone.

 

Yes all good as long as you just don’t add new fish. Your existing filter has enough bacteria in it to take care of your existing fish. Being a larger tank the fish waste is being diluted by the more water. But over time you will need a larger filter. You want something that came move 6 to 8 times the volume of the tank. You can move all the media in the existing filter into the new filter or run 2 filters at once.

I’ve got the AC 50 and a medium sponge filter currently running. Will I still need to upgrade my HOB?

 

I run a AC 50 and an AC 70 in my 40 gallon breeder. The 50 would not be good enough alone.

I agree with this. I like running at least two filters on a tank, and sometimes three or larger tanks. My 40 gal breeder has an Aquaclear 70, a SunSun HW3000 with the motor running half speed, plus a sponge filter. I admit this might be overkill, but it works well.

To prevent excessive flow rates, I use sponge prefilters on the intakes of the Aquaclear and SunSun filters. I HATE taking filters apart for cleaning. The prefilters are cleaned when they start to clog. The filters only have to be cleaned every few months. That make both me and the fish happy.

 

I agree with this. I like running at least two filters on a tank, and sometimes three or larger tanks. My 40 gal breeder has an Aquaclear 70, a SunSun HW3000 with the motor running half speed, plus a sponge filter. I admit this might be overkill, but it works well.

To prevent excessive flow rates, I use sponge prefilters on the intakes of the Aquaclear and SunSun filters. I HATE taking filters apart for cleaning. The prefilters are cleaned when they start to clog. The filters only have to be cleaned every few months. That make both me and the fish happy.

I’ve got a pre filter sponge on my aquaclear 50 too and then I’ve also got the sponge filter going. Would another HOB be best when I upgrade to the 40 gal breeder? If so, what size would be best?

 

I would recommend the AC 70. Then you can decide whether to use the AC 50 AC70, the AC 70 + sponge filter, or keep all three. If you do get a new filter, be sure to run all three for at least a month until the new filter is cycled.

 

I would recommend the AC 70. Then you can decide whether to use the AC 50 AC70, the AC 70 + sponge filter, or keep all three. If you do get a new filter, be sure to run all three for at least a month until the new filter is cycled.

Okay, I’ll go ahead and get the AC 70. I’d rather have more filtration than less! Thanks so much for your help.

 

I would recommend the AC 70. Then you can decide whether to use the AC 50 AC70, the AC 70 + sponge filter, or keep all three. If you do get a new filter, be sure to run all three for at least a month until the new filter is cycled.

I actually have another question if you don’t mind. Once I have the AC 70 running for at least a month what’s the process to upgrade to the 40 gal? Do I take out the filter that’s been in the longest and put it in the new tank for a few days, week? Or all of the filters at once?

 

It is not necessary to put the new AC70 in the old tank. You can move everything over to the new tank, including the fish. As long as you move the old filters and old media, they have sufficient beneficial bacteria to support the fish you have in the old tank. Thus, you can move the fish over as well. Just do not purchase any new fish until your new AC70 media has had time to cycle for 4-6 weeks.

 

It is not necessary to put the new AC70 in the old tank. You can move everything over to the new tank, including the fish. As long as you move the old filters and old media, they have sufficient beneficial bacteria to support the fish you have in the old tank. Thus, you can move the fish over as well. Just do not purchase any new fish until your new AC70 media has had time to cycle for 4-6 weeks.

Okay, awesome! Thank you!