Getting new filter, how to set up on cycled tank

A

Allison Reed

Sushi Lovin' Aquarist
Dec 3, 2002
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Vancouver, wa
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Im changing to canister filter on my already cycled 100 gallon, which has 2 emperor 330s on it. When I get the fluval 404 would it be alright just to hook it up and let the filter get colonized and set up fine while the other two filters are going? just want to check
And, will one Fluval 404 be fine for my 100 gallon? Soon only a oscar will be in it. For now its a baby oscar and 3 juvie Balas, and a pleco.
 
Hooking the new filter up in conjunction with the current filters will get some bacteria growing in there, but not enough to support the tank solo. You'll need to let it run a week, reduce the use of one, and then the other filter a short time later. The one filter should work for a while, but I would monitor it closely as the oscar grows to make sure the bio-load doesn't excede the filters capacity.
 
Generally agree w/OG's comments, but I'd leave the two units running in parallel for longer, at least 3 weeks or more.

Strongly agree with her comment on the filtration needs of adult Oscars. These are high-load fish.
 
yea, i'd let all 3 run for as long as a month, seeing as how i'm technically "recycling" for my new filter. I'm a complete newbie to canister filters, and I have no problems with purchasing another fluval. Any reccomendations for a second canister? A
HOT MAGNUM? Another 404?
 
I would also get a rena filstar xP3. More flow than the fluval and an excellent brand. I would keep the penguins on for a long time, well, I wouldn't take them off ever because with that big of a tank and those fish, just 2 canister filters really wouldn't be enough. Think, you want to have a turnover rate of 10 or more. With just one fluval 404 and one rena xP3, there would only be a 6.9x turnover rate. But, if you kept both of the pengiuns, it would be 13.5x.
 
okay, thanks :D Soon it will be just the oscar and the pleco. soon x.x;; I'll get the canister and look into a second canister when I get the money, and keep the emperors. the main reason im switching is because I hate the noise from the emperors when the water level gets a tad too low ( evap ).
 
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