Possibly obvious cycling question

[sabbott1877]

I have a cycled filter (AC70)

I am replacing it with a new filter (xp3)

If I take ALL of the media out of the old and put it in the new I should not have a cycle, because all of the media will be transfered over, thus saving all of the bacteria that was built up on it.

Thanks,

-Steve

 

[rich311k]

If you move all your media I would be very surprised if you had any kind of cycle at all. Congrats on the new filter that XP3 is a nice machine.

 

[sabbott1877]

Thanks, I wanted someone to either confirm or reject what I was thinking...


I like the AC 70 also, but the lip of the tank is too large for it to fit over so I have to keep the water level REALLY HIGH.

Plus I need more filtration once I start adding more fish...

 

[Fishyfanatic]

You could also run them together at the same time for a few weeks. Either way will work.

 

[7Enigma]

I'd stick with putting all of the old media in the new filter. I'd just advise to cut feeding for a day or so. While most of the bacteria is in the filter, all of the walls of the AC filter (intake tubing, impeller assembly, housing of the filter inserts, etc) also have a good amount on them. With a lightened feeding schedule for a day or two you'll avoid the unlikely ammonia/nitrIte spike.