Tank is cycled...safe to change part of filter?

[Punkymom]

Ok, my tank has been cycled for a few days now, and I was wondering, since the floss thingies are now over a month old and kinda groady, (I have been rinsing them, however) is it safe to change one of them? I don't want to change both of them because I don't have a bio wheel and I don't want to get rid of all my bacteria that took not very long to grow...must have scummy water...LOL So I was just wondering when I can do that...I'm not in a hurry, I just wanna know...TIA

 

[madasafish]

I'd say your shooting yourself in the foot if you do replace it now. I'd wait a little longer for the bacteria to get comfortable. BTW, when you rinse the floss thingies (what kind of filter?), do you wash them in cycled aquarium water so you don't kill the bacteria?

 

[Allivymar]

*agrees with madasa*

Without the bio-wheels, I'd prob give it another week to be sure the other filter, substrate, tank walls and other surfaces have enough bacteria to carry the load. Double check (as I'm sure you will) after the change to be sure ammonia doesn't spike.

Heh, and its not scummy water...its scummy fish

 

[Punkymom]

Hee Hee!!! I always rinsed them in used tank water that I was changing...Thanks for telling me NO! Because I probably would have done it and messed up all my little cuuuuuute bacteria colonies!!! I'll wait another week or 2 to do it!