Switching from an HOB Disposable Cartridge to a Biological Filter

[codewon]

Hello, I am fairly new to saltwater aquariums and I am upgrading my tank and filtration. I‘m currently using a TopFin power filter (which has disposable cartridges) and I am switching to a biological filter. How do I get bacteria from the cartridge into the new tank filter?

I’m not sure if this can even be done but I have only been doing this for a month.

Thanks,
codewon

 

[Saltyreef]

Hello, I am fairly new to saltwater aquariums and I am upgrading my tank and filtration. I‘m currently using a TopFin power filter (which has disposable cartridges) and I am switching to a biological filter. How do I get bacteria from the cartridge into the new tank filter?

I’m not sure if this can even be done but I have only been doing this for a month.

Thanks,
codewon

Do you have rock in the tank?
Is the tank cycled?

If so, you already have bacteria present and dont need to worry about saving the filter cartridge.

 

[codewon]

Do you have rock in the tank?
Is the tank cycled?

If so, you already have bacteria present and dont need to worry about saving the filter cartridge.

I have live rock and the tank is cycled.
Thanks

 

[LordofCinder]

google "the berlin method", this explains how biofiltration works in a reef tank.

Biofiltration doesn't come from a cartridge, it comes from live rock and flow.

 

[Saltyreef]

google "the berlin method", this explains how biofiltration works in a reef tank.

Biofiltration doesn't come from a cartridge, it comes from live rock and flow.

It can come from a cartridge if his goal was to seed a sterile tank.

 

[Spare time]

What do you mean by switching to a biological filter?

 

[Saltyreef]

What do you mean by switching to a biological filter?

Im assuming the OP is changing from a filter with a carbon/felt insert (mechanical) that you would throw away when spent, to a refillable media style HOB filter (mechanical and biological)

 

[codewon]

Im assuming the OP is changing from a filter with a carbon/felt insert (mechanical) that you would throw away when spent, to a refillable media style HOB filter (mechanical and biological)

Yup thats what I meant sorry

 

[Spare time]

Yup thats what I meant sorry

Ah yeah you don't need any biofilter media in the hob. Just a filter pad, QUALITY carbon, and then whatever else (i.e. phosphate remover).

 

[Gretchacha]

You can stick your old cartridge in your new media for 5 days and then toss it if you like your bacterial blend. Otherwise, your cycled aquarium will seed the filter media in time, just feed lightly for 2 weeks. You can also seed with Fritz Turbostart 900. I can’t recommend any other bacteria starters for media, as all others have caused problems. Or you can supplement the aquarium with Microbacter 7 for 2 weeks.

 

[Saltyreef]

Ah yeah you don't need any biofilter media in the hob. Just a filter pad, QUALITY carbon, and then whatever else (i.e. phosphate remover).

Agreed.

Mine is just full of 3 stage mechanical foam at the moment.

 

[codewon]

Ah yeah you don't need any biofilter media in the hob. Just a filter pad, QUALITY carbon, and then whatever else (i.e. phosphate remover).

Ok thank you!

 

[Gretchacha]

Removing the filter pad and exchanging it for other media will have the same affect on your tank as when you replaced the filter pads.

 

[Spare time]

Ok thank you!

I think biomedia is best used to "seed" new tanks or QT tanks. So it isn't useless, but you don't need it since rocks and sand do the same thing.