changing filters.. questions

[dana307]

Hi all. Got a new Eheim 2215 and will swap it out to replace the fluval 304 i have on the 55 gallon. Whoohoo!

Will use some media from the two fluvals I currently have running and will run both the fluval and the eheim on the tank during the swapping out period. My question is how long do you think before I can take off the old filter? Water parameter tests will be influenced by having the 'old' filter still running. I figure between 2-4 weeks but want some advice on the process.

Thanks

 

[TurbineSurgeon]

I would run both of them for at least a month. The longer the better.

 

[Purple]

It will take up to 6 weeks for a new filter to seed in a cycled tank if it's running together with an old filter - if you're mixing the media between filters this should speed things up - but from experience you should allow at least 4 weeks.

Once you make the final pull - check for Nitrites every day for a week or so - just to check....the Nitrite eating side of the cycle seems to be the slowest to catch up with any changes - ammonia is seldom a problem

 

[dana307]

Okay. Thanks all. That was my plan, just wanted to check with "the tank."