Upgrading tank

[Rocksta]

Hey guys. This is my first post so bare with me.
I am a beginner so I will probably be asking a few questions

I've recently upgraded from a 60L tank to a 110L so fa everything is going ok. All the equipment is new including filter and heater.

So to my question;
Because I've bought a new external filter I'm currently running my pl internal filter alongside it to try and get the bacteria to build up in the new one.
The new tank has been set up for a week this way and seems fine.
How long shall I leave the internal filter running in the tank before removing it?

Thank you

-Rocksta

[mizzoutank]

generally speaking 6weeks in the minimum. but if you have no reason to remove the other filter...then leave it running?

what are the filters?
current stock?

that'll help in knowing if your filtration is adequate and a more accurate seeding time.

[Rocksta]

The internal filter is a fluval U3 I think and the external is a aquamanta efx 200. (You probably wouldn't have heard if it. It's a uk only supplied filter)

The tank currently has 2 ottos, 5 zebra danios, 4 guppies, 1 molly and one recently rescued betta.

Also I have 6 harlequin rasboras

[Goes to 11!]

I googled your canister filter and the U3 [I have never used an internal] and here's what you can do:

The contents of the bio media chamber of the U3 [The bit between the sponges that contains the {Likely ceramic} biomedia, Correct me if I am wrong here] Can be put right into the canister to seed it.

What this will do is transfer the primary residence of the BB to your canister filter.

Keep in mind that this must be put into the bio media chamber of the canister to be effective.

I hope this is clear & helpful but ask if it's simply confusing lol.

[Rocksta]

So put the noodle like things from the internal with the noodles in the external?

Also what are bio balls?

[talldutchie]

Yes.

Bio balls are plastic balls with all sorts of indentations. They catch some debris and house some bacteria.

[Goes to 11!]

So put the noodle like things from the internal with the noodles in the external?

Also what are bio balls?

Exactly.

This will transfer the vast majority of your Beneficial bacteria into the canister filter [A bit of it lives on the sponges of the U3 also but they are primarily mechanical filtration].

It's important to situate the used media before/or mixed in with the media you are trying to seed. The water needs to flow over the old media before the new media for it to seed BB to the new Biomedia.

These are Bio balls:

They are 3.81cm in diameter and used as biomedia primarily in sumps/wet/dry systems.

Hope this helps.