Swpped filters, best way to seed the new media?

[iChris]

I've switched from a hang on the back cascade filter to a air powered sponge filter, for various reasons.

mainly the cartridges in the cascade filter are disposable and they clog very fast so I only get a couple weeks of use before they clog completely despite my best efforts at cleaning them. I chose a air powered sponge filter as my local axie breeder recommends them in conjunction with daily spot cleaning and thrice weekly water changes of about 15%, and the added bonus of the cooling factor.

I took the sponge inserts out of the hang on filter, and sandwiched them between the sponge of the new filter and the glass walls of the tank, but I left the filter floss and carbon cartridge in the hang on filter and left it running.

how long must I keep the old filter going? I'm thinking 3 weeks should suffice without crashing the cycle.

any other advice would be great.

 

[morphyrichards]

It sounds like you've got the right idea. It might help if you can also get some of the filter floss from the old filter and somehow get it inside your new sponge filter . What your doing sounds about right to me though. Out of curiosity what kind of sponge filter did you get?

 

[iChris]

it is just a air powered corner one.

the floss is attached to the cartridge and holds the carbon in, so it can't be taken off like the coarse sponge can.

 

[Kaysie]

Run them both together for a week, and the filter should be well-seeded.

Also, keep in mind that beneficial bacteria live on every surface in your tank: decorations, tank walls, substrate, etc., not just in the filter. If you have a fairly low bioload tank, you shouldn't have a problem.