Filter change

[gwand]

When you change the filter don’t you loose a large amount of beneficial bacteria for the ammonia-N2 cycle? Any remedy?

 

[Ed Pursell]

Gwand, you’re going to be asked, what filter do you have? Brand, model number. Then the Group can start to answer.

 

[Essjay]

Do you mean the whole filter, or the media inside the filter?

 

[Ichthys]

Transfer the existing media to the new filter and you won’t lose any.

 

[Playsander]

Grand are you putting in a new filter or just changing the filter media?

 

[gwand]

TopFin Silentstream 10 Power Filter with cartridge. Filter cartridge is TopFin PF-S. This all came along with tank, heater and thermometer in a starter kit.

 

[TNG]

You can run the TopFin together with the new filter for a few weeks, then remove the TopFin.

If you can only fit one filter to the tank, you can remove the TopFin and drop it in the tank, and run the new filter. The TopFin can be taken out a few weeks later.

 

[gwand]

You can run the TopFin together with the new filter for a few weeks, then remove the TopFin.

If you can only fit one filter to the tank, you can remove the TopFin and drop it in the tank, and run the new filter. The TopFin can be taken out a few weeks later.

Thank you

 

[10 Tanks]

When you change the filter don’t you loose a large amount of beneficial bacteria for the ammonia-N2 cycle? Any remedy?

Hello gwand. If you're changing a filter, simply remove the old filter and squeeze the dark contents from it onto the new filter media. You'll lose a little bacteria in the process, but bacteria is alive and growing on all the surfaces inside the tank. The bacteria that's lost will repopulate the new filter in just a day or two. Perform a bit larger than normal water change at the same time you change out the filter. This will remove any excess nitrogen the new filter doesn't. If there's any more nitrogen left, it will be diluted to a safe level in all the new, treated tap water. Your fish will be fine.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[gwand]

Hello gwand. If you're changing a filter, simply remove the old filter and squeeze the dark contents from it onto the new filter media. You'll lose a little bacteria in the process, but bacteria is alive and growing on all the surfaces inside the tank. The bacteria that's lost will repopulate the new filter in just a day or two. Perform a bit larger than normal water change at the same time you change out the filter. This will remove any excess nitrogen the new filter doesn't. If there's any more nitrogen left, it will be diluted in all the new, treated tap water. Your fish will be fine.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

Thanks. Will do.

 

[Ichthys]

Hello gwand. If you're changing a filter, simply remove the old filter and squeeze the dark contents from it onto the new filter media. You'll lose a little bacteria in the process,

You’ll lose most of the bacteria this way, as most are on the media. If you just transfer the media you’ll lose none. I can’t see the point of throwing away bacteria if you don’t need to.