Adding Canister filter and sterilizer to existing tank

[Russ359]

I am adding a new canister filter with a UV sterilizer to an existing tank. The tank is 37 gallon with a Aquaclear HOB filter. Only a few fish in the tank. I will be keeping both filters and add more fish in a while. Question is how will the "good" bacteria get into the canister filter? should I NOT run the sterilizer for a while? If so how long not to run? thanks

 

[Fresh2o]

I think the uv is on the output of the canister filter so it won't affect what is going in. Not sure what effects they have on establishing BB in a new filter. Just to be safe you can leave if off for a few weeks while you run the filters in parallel.
For a quicker method of seeding the new filter, you can transfer some of the filter media from the existing filter into the new one.


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[Mebbid]

Tbh i wouldnt bother running the uv sterilizer. It doesnt really kill anything but algae.