New filter

[Tav]

Hi. I am going to add a new external canister filter to my tank. Will this start a new cycle? Or becuase it is an established tank will it stay the same?

[Yorg]

Originally Posted by Tav

Hi. I am going to add a new external canister filter to my tank. Will this start a new cycle? Or becuase it is an established tank will it stay the same?

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Hi Tav:

Although there are beneficial bacteria on other surfaces in your tank, changing filters can definitely cause a new cycle unless you can use media from your existing filter.

If you can't get the media from the old filter into the new, maybe you could run both for awhile until the new filter has its nitrifying bacteria established?

[Tav]

Thanks for that. I haven't purchased the new filter yet so I will see if I can transfer some media over if not I will run them both and just keep an eye on the amonia and nitrite I think.