if i have a fish tank already setup and running, if i get another filter for it, how long will it take for that filter to cycle, while the other one is running with it?
also, i got a 55 gallon tank, i got a whisper 60 power filter on it. should i get another power filter the same thing for it? or should i get a emperor 400. (i got pig fish, piranha and oscar)
2007-03-08 11:20:45 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I think everyone's missing the point of what you are trying to do.
The established tank is already cycled. The bacteria are in your gravel. You can put a new filter on this tank anytime.
The 55 gallon isn't cycled. You want to use your old filter (or at least the filter media) to "seed" the new tank.
Just as in cycling a new aquarium, there aren't any "easy" answers to how long it will take. You will need a source of ammonia in the new tank, or else the established bacteria will "starve". You can put your smallest fish in the tank to keep the bacteria going (it doesn't have to be one that will be kept in the tank) and test the water chemisrty - when the ammonia and nitrite are both = 0, add another fish, or move up to a larger one. Until then, do water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite down. The Whisper will be fine for the new tank.
2007-03-08 12:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't need to cycle a filter. It's the tank that needs to be cycled. If you add a filter to an existing tank that already has a filter, it should be fine. Cycling means that you have all the good bacteria present to get rid of the toxic ammonia. If your tank is already established, these bacteria are there....however, i would leave the filter media in the old filter for awhile, to keep the bacteria that is needed. And when you do filter media changes, alternate the two filters, so you always have some media that has been in their awhile, al ot of the good bacteria lives in there.....
on a side note, that's a weird combination to have in a tank. With a tank that small, as these fish get bigger, they are going to fight..you will most likely need to get a bigger tank. Oscars get huge. Usually you need a minimum of a 55 gal for 1 Oscar.
View the link below for info on Oscars.
2007-03-08 11:29:27 · answer #2 · answered by djs2012 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run the two filters together for a week or two. That should be sufficient. You already have a good bacterial load going and remember there is bacteria on every surface in your tank.
For better bio-filtration get the emperor. If you need better mechanical filration I've heard Aqua Clear is better (more gph). Personally I avoid the whispers. But I'll say again. Canisters rock. They are excellent on bio-filtration and many of them are flexible enough that you can add more material for mechanical. Also with very dirty fish, a lot of people like to run two filters.
2007-03-09 04:35:35 · answer #3 · answered by SabrinaD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 months for a tank to cycle- regardless of how many filters. and defff go with an emperor 400- i have a 55 galon africanciclid tank and i have 2 emperior 400's running on it.. the waters crystalll clearrrrrrr
2007-03-08 11:27:31 · answer #4 · answered by Cd 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The filter's media does harbor bacteria which aids in the cycling process, but it's content is so small, being added at a later time will not affect it that much in the "catch-up" process. Don't worry about any lag time. You'll be fine.
2007-03-08 11:58:09 · answer #5 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a good combo of fish. Piranha aren't really aggressive, just bad rep, and require pretty soft water. Oscars are agressive, however. the oscar will try to fight the P. and cause of the teeth may hurt the oscar.
2007-03-08 12:39:59 · answer #6 · answered by spooky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋