I am putting a new filter on a well established tank. Is it necessary to put the sponge in the tank for a couple of weeks beforehand to grow bacteria on it or can I just change the filter outright?
Changing filters
- Thread starter Tinajo
- Start date
Thanks for the replies. Was going to take Rbishop's advice, but when I got the new filter out of the box, I realized it will not fit on the back of the tank anyway. The cutout on the hood is too narrow. I have a H.O.T. Magnum Cannister on it now, and quite frankly, I've been intimated by it. I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet and take it off to clean it well.
smitty
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Though the bacteria would seed itself in the new filter slowly but surely. You will be discarding so much of the good stuff. Definitely run them together for 2 to 4 weeks. Preferably 4.
What size tank & what new filter are you talking about? I had to Dremel off some of the plastic inner rim to fit Aqua Clear 70s on a 75g. Not a super big deal, just a PITA. I would do as Bob said, run both for a good while or exchange media first then run both for a month or so...Really, I run 2 filters on almost all my tanks 20g to 75g, better flow & no worries about cleaning 1 filter well (in tapwater) then the other 2-3 weeks later.
