Need Help Soon

[reeeedfish]

I have just upgraded my filter from a very very old filter model to a Tetra Whisper EX20. The thing is, that I have had fish in the tank for a couple of months. my old filter has bacteria but my new one does not. I can only have one filter. I want to get bacteria into the new filter but the filter cartridge is brand new out of the box. Can I move my old filter cartridge into my new filter to get bacteria to jump filter cartridges? Or should I move my new cartridge into my old filter along with my old cartridge? I don't want to lose any fish.

I need advice PLEEEEEAAAAASE!!

Help!

 

[OldMan47]

The EX20 is made to hold only a particular proprietary filter cartridge. I seriously doubt that you can move a cartridge in either direction. Hang one of the filters on the front of the tank for a month or so and let the new one acquire a bacterial culture of its own before trying to change them over.
Another option, which may speed things, is to first rinse out the old filter cartridge in the tank with the new filter running. It will pick up some of the bacteria from the old cartridge just like dosing with a real bacteria starter would do. After that you could still run the two filters side by side for a few weeks but would be fairly sure the new filter was cycled when you took out the old one.

 

[reeeedfish]

I don't really want to rinse out all of the gunk into my aquarium. but to argue, I don't know the name of it, but the old cartridge will fit into the EX20. It won't be effective as a permament cartridge but it will slide into the filter nicely. I just want to get the bacteria to jump filter cartridges.

 

[ellena]

If your old cartridge will fit, just swap it over and go. All the bacteria will be transferred. Just keep an eye on stats for a week or so to be sure

 

[reeeedfish]

I just realized that my old ratty filter is actually a penguin 170. Which should I use?