Questions about swapping filter from cycled tank to new tank to start the recycling process..

[KyleJackson51]

I have a 55 fully cycled tank with two 55gallon filters. I just cleaned out my substrate on my other 55 and put water in it. Instead of buying a new one and waiting a few weeks can I take one of the two on my cycled tank and put it on there? I know you want to keep all the original bb in the tank but I didn’t know what would happen if I removed one. I also had a sponge filter in there for a month and put it in the new tank. I did that to build up bb. Would it be better to buy a new filter and take two filter bags from one and put on the new one and swap new ones on the old ones? I’m using prime and stability also.

 

[Avel1896]

Hey
It could work well............... or not. Very hard to know the way it will turn. You could swapp filter and add some live BB, and regularly check ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

 

[KyleJackson51]

Hey
It could work well............... or not. Very hard to know the way it will turn. You could swapp filter and add some live BB, and regularly check ammonia, nitrites, nitrates.

@Avel1896 i think it will work. I moved the sponge filter from established tank as well as putting two filter cartridges out of one of my filters from my main tank. My goal is to have fish in the tank no longer than a week bc I am moving. I watched some videos on yt and one guy did it the same day he setup a tank, put established filter on and established substrate and added fish right after and another guy did it 24 hours laternot adding established substrate and It worked for them but may not for others. My fish are expensive and important and I t’s not worth the risk. I added prime and stability as well as plants and some rocks/decor from main tank also bc I read that also carries some bb. I will check the water tomorrow and post results. I’m pretty sure I could have taken one of the 55 gal filters and put it on and it would have been cycled fairly fast but didn’t want to disturb my bb in main tank. Just playing it safe.

 

[Linkandnavi]

It should be fine, provided the new tank isn't fully stocked straight away and the main tank isn't fully stocked.

If you have two filters on a tank, it doesn't just double the amount of nitrifying bacteria. It won't be precise of course but the amount of bacteria will level out at approximately the amount needed to support the level of waste in the tank, probably a bit higher. Some of those will be in one filter, some in the other (and some in substrate, on decorations etc).

If you take one filter out, you'll take approximately 50% of the bacteria with you. Again, approximately. Depending on stocking, it might take a bit for the bacteria to multiply in the main tank to full capacity but shouldn't take too long. Will just need monitoring. Likewise the new tank shouldn't be fully stocked immediately. Partially stock, monitor and introduce more when conditions allow.

Better to just take a portion of the media from one of the established filters to put into the new tank and then stock that one very lightly to begin with. The bacteria will multiply rapidly, provided you don't overwhelm it. Monitor and water change as needed.

 

[KyleJackson51]

It should be fine, provided the new tank isn't fully stocked straight away and the main tank isn't fully stocked.

If you have two filters on a tank, it doesn't just double the amount of nitrifying bacteria. It won't be precise of course but the amount of bacteria will level out at approximately the amount needed to support the level of waste in the tank, probably a bit higher. Some of those will be in one filter, some in the other (and some in substrate, on decorations etc).

If you take one filter out, you'll take approximately 50% of the bacteria with you. Again, approximately. Depending on stocking, it might take a bit for the bacteria to multiply in the main tank to full capacity but shouldn't take too long. Will just need monitoring. Likewise the new tank shouldn't be fully stocked immediately. Partially stock, monitor and introduce more when conditions allow.

Better to just take a portion of the media from one of the established filters to put into the new tank and then stock that one very lightly to begin with. The bacteria will multiply rapidly, provided you don't overwhelm it. Monitor and water change as needed.

@Linkandnavi i ended up using two filter pouches off one filter. I’m guna wait to feed the tank for 3 days so it has time to catch up on bb. I also read to add a little food to breakdown and start the nitrogen process so I added a tiny bit of brine shrimp. I will wait a week and do a water change/ check conditions. I’m tempted to check tomorrow just to see how everything is working.

 

[Avel1896]

i think it will work.

It's up to you
Don't forget to check ammonia, nitrites, nitrates up.