New filter + vacation question.

I am going on vacation for 2 weeks. My current filter needs to be manually jump started if it turns off. So if the power goes out while im gone, it wont restart itself. This could obviously be a problem while I am vacation.

So I broke down and got a new filter. I got a penguin 350. I am concerned about my biological filter though. My old filter has a sponge filter in it where the new one takes cartidges, so I cant put the old media in the new one.

Should I put the two filters on and leave them running until I get back or do you think it would be safe to completly replace the old filter with the new one?

I have a 55 gallon tank and it has only been set up in my new place for 2 weeks. There should be bacteria dudes in my gravel though.

There are two containers on this filter. Do you think I could put my old media sponge in one of them so there is some bacteria filtering still?

I put all my old media in the second tank of the new filter rather than the other cartidge they gave me. And I sunk my net of old ceramic media into the tank. Do you think thats ok?

reignman40 said:

Anything from the old media helps bring over that bacteria to establish the new filter. Are there any fish in the tank? Or are you fish cycling? Or did u use Bio-Spira?

If you are regular fishy cycling you would need regular water changes, 30-50% daily, in order to keep the level safe enough for the fish. If you're going on vacation do you have someone to do that?

Curtis

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They are already in the tank. ALL of the media from the old filter is in the new filter... so it should be like I never changed filters. Right?

Holly9937 said:

Yes, you should be fine then. Then just test your water every day for a few days to be sure. How soon till you go on vacation?

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Saturday.