Equipment Review and Discussion :: Fluval 3+ and 4+

[Mickey]

I'm running both a fluval 3+ and 4+ in my tank. I usually alternate cleaning so I always have one filter with good bacteria. I clean the filter in the sink just b/c it's easier and I don't worry about killing the good bacteria b/c I always have a 2nd filter running. My question is how long does it take for the cleaned filter to re-establish good bacteria? I'm going on vacation and the turtles will be turtle-sat in a 25 gal rubbermaid (15 gal of water). Do I take the newly cleaned (it'll be 3 days) filter or the dirty established one ( I guess I can rinse it in tank water). I prefer to take the recently clean one b/c its smaller. Thanks.

[seanwb]

Alternating the cleaning is good, but cleaning in tank water is always going to be better, then you have a constant filtering ability.

After cleaning one filter in tap water, your biological filtration will be well down (especially if you have just cleaned the 4+). This will lead to an ammonia spike. How big and how long for will depend on the biological load and size of tank.

How long it takes for a filter to cycle varies. It can be as much as 6-8 weeks. When I set up my Mississippi Map tank this was a major concern as they are reportedly intolerant of poor water quaility. Testing the water ever other day showed that it took just over 3 weeks. During those three weeks, water changes were needed to keep ammonia low.

As for the holiday, I would rinse the 4+ in tank water and take that.