New filter

Hi all - I've been lurking here for a while and enjoyed reading the posts.

I'm sure someone here can help me out with a bit of advise so here go's ...

I've just installed a Rena Filstar xP3 external canister filter on my 55Gal
Oscar tank. (3 in there at the moment and growing nicely - good job I've got
room for a 300Gal!).

At the moment I'm still running a Fluval 4+ filter too.

My question is, if I take the filter media out of the 4+ and put it into the
xP3 (It should fit with a bit of minor cutting and shaping) - can I remove
the 4+ and expect the level of biological filtration to remain good while
the BioChem Stars grow their own bacteria culture, or should I run the two
filters side by side for a while (How long is recommended?) until the xP3 is
'matured'?

Thanks in advance!

--
Eddy

> > > > I've just installed a Rena Filstar xP3 external canister filter on
my
> > > > 55Gal
> > > >
> > > > At the moment I'm still running a Fluval 4+ filter too.
> > > >
> > > Run the two side by side, bacteria will migrate from one to the other.
> >
> > Cheers Roger - will do. What do you reckon 3-4 weeks?
>
> I would think maybe a bit longer.. You have to remember with two filters
the
> Bio Load on the one is not going to be very high. Whilist the removal of
one
> of the filters now, you are going to have have ammonia spikes and Nit
> elevations until the single filter can cactch up to the increased, I would
> suspect the filter would go through a mini cycle.. Where I would feed the
> fish minimum amounts of food.. Perhaps before you remove the Fluval you
> fatten them up very well, then with the removal cut the feeding down
> considerable, increasing it as you go along to give the Rena a chance to
> catch up.. The plus side here is when the fish are getting feed heavy
before
> the removal of the one you are helping it establish the bacteria as well..
> Worse comes to worse, you could leave both filters on there if you want..
> Seems with Oscars you can never have to much filtration..
>
> I just got myself an Eheim 2235 ( well at least it is transit for Big
> Al's ) for a 55USG tank. Total cost with shipping is a $100 USD.. Anyone
> have any ideas other than propriatary Bio Filter Media for this unit??
> Thanks you Ladies and Gents..
>
> Tim

This makes sense Tim - thanks for your feedback.

My fish seem extremely laid back and very resilient to water parameter
fluctuations but If I can avoid stressing them at all then it's got to be
done. Your suggestion sounds like a sensible solution to minimise the stress
of this changeover.

I'll run the two for a month then build up the feed for a couple of weeks
before I pull the Fluval and reduce the feed at the same time. Then I'll
just have to keep an eye on the parameters and step up the partial water
changes as necessary.

Thanks again

--
Eddy