Filter And Stocking

[alan3513]

I have a Fluval Roma 125 at present but getting a second one shortly. As they both have the same filter, can i put half the foam from the up and running filter into the new filter and half the new one into the old one (so they both have half new and half old). I intend to transfer half the fish as well, this will make me understocked in each tank with half the bio load. After a few months i would then start to increase my fish up to the correct stocking level. Would this be okay or is their a better way ?. i'm also getting two 18x12x15 tanks, would these be suitable for a small shoal of corys and small shoal of tetras in each tank, or would it be one shoal per tank, sorry it's so long, thanks in advance for any advice, Alan

 

[Colin_T]

Using half old and half a new filter in each tank is fine. Make sure the fish get moved across shortly after (within a day) the filter is put in. The filter bacteria grow rapidly and you can normally increase the number of fish in the tank within a week or so, sometimes less. Just monitor the ammonia levels for the first couple of weeks after the move.

The 18x12x15in tanks will be fine for a group of tetras and a group of dwarf Corydoras, but they are a bit small for most of the bigger Corydoras catfish that like a bit of room to swim around. If the tanks were 2ft or longer they would be better. Having said that you could do it but the fish just won't be as happy as they could be in a longer tank.

 

[alan3513]

Hi Colin, Thanks for the good advice. Can't wait to get started. I know what tetras i would like, just need to check out the dwarf corys that are available in my area, Cheers, Alan