New Fluval U2 Replacing Elite Stingray 10

[TRAGICTRAMP]

Hi

Just bought a fluval u2 to replace a stingray 10 which has been running in the tank for over a year, their is nothing wrong with the stingray but i have been told the fluval is way better.
I just wanted to know what is the best way to transfer the good bacteria media over to the fluval, i dont particularly want 2 filters running, shall i just ram the sponges from the stingray into the fluval as well as its own filter media? im not sure on space within the fluval just yet, or could i skip using the carbon which comes with the fluval and use the space for the stingray media.

cheers.

 

[OldMan47]

As long as the old filter is working, I would run it side by side with the new one. I have seen estimates in various places that cycling a new filter by sharing the water with an existing filter could take anywhere from 4 weeks to several months. Frankly I don't think we can accurately make that estimate. I have used a tank with a new running filter as a cleaning bucket for an old filter and found, based on my own experience, that I get a good enough clone going to end up with a cycled filter in about a week. It does make one heck of an ugly mess of the tank though.