Filter Media Swap

[Vinny]

I recently picked up another 10 gallon, along with an in-tank Whisper filter. I have another tank established, so I am wondering if it would be fine to switch all of the filter material from my HOB filter, and swap it with the filter material from my new in-tank filter? Heh, and will this practically cycle my tank in a day or two?

Thanks.

Vinny

[JustOneMore20]

Is there anyway you can just take some of the filter media? I know with some filters its all or nothing. I wouldn't take all of it personally.....even though you should have some good bacteria in the gravel...most of it is in the filter.

I'm sure you are anxious to set the new tank up, but if you can't just take some media, can you run the new filter in your established tank for a couple weeks?

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I recently picked up another 10 gallon, along with an in-tank Whisper filter. I have another tank established, so I am wondering if it would be fine to switch all of the filter material from my HOB filter, and swap it with the filter material from my new in-tank filter? Heh, and will this practically cycle my tank in a day or two?

Vi:

I may be missing something here but

1) if you have disinfected the new tank and the "in-tank filter*";

2) dechlorinated the new tank and the "in-tank filter";

3) induced water from your existing tank into your 10G tank then

4) the answer to your question is yes as long as you immediately induce the appropriate quantity and type of fish for a 10G.


Additional Item:

What are your plans for you existing tank if you remove the biological filtration media?

TR

[Vinny]

Hehe, actually, the filter does have two pieces of media in it... it has a sponge-like Bio-foam in it, and another piece of media that is double sided, containing carbon.

[Fishfirst]

take one of the two and you'll be fine... also water from the old tank isn't really needed.

[GoodMike]

as said by FishFirst, move one of the 2 parts, and yes, essentially you will be instantly cycling your tank. its how i "cycle" all my tanks.

There is very little actual bacteria in your water column itself, the bacteria attaches itself to things, such as gravel, the sides of the tank, and primarily the filter pads and sponges. using old water really doesnt make much of a difference except that it is already up to temp and dechlorinated.

If you move the double sided pad into the new tank, and take the old sponge and give it a good squeeze or 2 into the new tank, boom, cycled. do all that and add some fish right then to keep a food source for the bacteria.

[fishbguy]

That's how I cycle all my tanks as well. ATM, I have a piece of filter media in my 10 gallon filter as well as in my 5.5 gallon filter, so when I get my 40 set up, I can just take the chucks of filter media out of my other filters, and put them into my 40's filter.

[Fishfirst]

fishbguy cute boobie!

[fishbguy]

Thanks...Actually Beki found it and let me use it. I'm not sure if you can read it, but it's saying, "I does a dance 4 u"

I forgot to mention that at my work, we sometimes squeeze water out of our filters ito bags for people to dump in their tanks to help it cycle. We also sell filter pads from out filters so they don't have to wait so long to get fish.