Question about switching to new filter...

[webcricket]

I just got a pair of Eheim 2213 canister filters for my 20 gallon tanks. Currently the tanks are running with Whisper 40i internal filters.

Is it better to shove the Whisper filter media (bag and bio sponge) into the canister filter, or to float it in the tank? Perhaps I should stick the filter media bag in the canister and float only the bio sponge?

What do you think is the best way to preserve the bacteria here?

 

[kjf91004]

I am not sure what is the "correct" way to do it, but here's what I did when I changed from a HOB to a 2217.
I took out the (very dirty) bag and sponge both and propped them in front of the intake of the canister filter. I left them that way for 3 weeks. I didn't have any issues with ammonia, but I did do more than my usual weekly water changes.

 

[is300zx]

If I'm stuffing the eheims with different kinds of media then I would just leave the whisper running along with the eheim for a few weeks. If not then I would put the bio media from the whisper inside the eheims.

 

[Dan the Moose]

i would have to agree with is300zx. if you wanna speed up the process Cycle works wonders.

 

[justintoxicated]

Shove 1/2 the media form the old filters into the new one

That will speed it up, and leave the old filters running for a week or so.

As long as teh old media still has water passing through it I don't think it will matter if it is in the old one or the new one, and it should definately help to speed up seeding the rest of the new media with bacteria.

 

[herostar]

I'd have to agree with the above posts. The existing media will stay good as long as it has water passing through it. You could either leave it running for a week or two while your new filter gets established (what I recommend) or put the old media into the ehiem filter. I would advise against just floating the old media in the tank though.