Underwater Filters

[Jediagh]

I currenlty have 2 filters in my 10gal tank. One Top Fin Power Filter #10 (http/tinyurl.com/5pjt2) and one Aqua Clear Power Filter #20. (http/tinyurl.com/4ppl5).

I will be moving in 2 months (AT LEAST 3 day road trip) and am planning on moving my 10gal tank with the fish. I plan on putting the fish in a 2.5 gal tank for the trip.

I bought a car adapter so I can keep the filters running so that I don't kill the good bacteria and plan on putting some of the water, gravel, all the plants and the two filters in a small 2.5 box gallon tank. That way the filters can keep running. I was planning on putting the fish in there as well but the water is going to be moving too much for the filter and I think it will stress them out more than anything.

So I'm looking at perhaps getting an underwater filter like this one:
Aquarium Systems Duetto Multi-Function Internal Filter

So that I can place it in the 2.5 gal tank for the trip. Is this a good idea? or should I just take a bunch of clean water and do water changes each night for them instead? I figured if I get the filter now and put it in my tank I can grow enough bacteria in 2 months for the 3 day trip.

Thanks

 

[Tolak]

If you run it for 2 months with the other filters, it will just be filtering around 1/3 of the tank, and have 1/3 of the bacteria. For the road trip, you could try putting the media from the other filters in the submersable, or starting a month before you move, pull one of the other filters, allowing more bacteria to build up in the submersable.

A water change half way through the trip would be good, you will be keeping 10 gallons of fish in 1/4 of the water, waste & nitrates will build up at 4 times the rate. Bringing extra water is a good idea, the water at the new place will probably be different, that way you can acclimate them to the new water more slowly.

Tolak

 

[vantgE]

Seems to me though you would know better that it would be much easier to split up all your fish best you can to minimze the bioload in each tanl meaning use the empty 2.5, and then just fish cycle do extra watter changes for a bit and skimp a little on the feeding?