Best way to switch to a new filter?

kaikoga

kaikoga

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I've had an Aqueon QuietFlow in my tank for a while now, and it is the absolute worst. It has a habit of suddenly shutting down and refusing to turn on for a few days. I bought a new filter recently but I'm unsure what is the best way to switch to a new filter without crashing the cycle. Any suggestions?
 
The best way to transfer the bacteria is to let them both run in the tank for a few weeks. The bacteria will transfer from your current filter to the media in the new one and after some time, just remove the faulty filter! Easy peasy. :)
 
I agree with Silk, use both filters for a week or two before removing the old filter. that way bacteria has some time to grow on the new filter before getting rid of the old one.
 
Last edited:
Oh, awesome, I'm glad there's such an easy solution, haha. Thank you!
 
It may take more than a week or two, so monitor parameters after you take out the old one. But if the tank is well established and not overcrowded, there should be enough bacteria on surfaces to keep the ammonia and nitrite under control. I usually just run them together for a month, but that is just me.
 
Also you could use some of the old filter medium that has the bacteria colony already established & put some of it in the new filter when you remove the older one.
 
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