Upgrading to a new filter, a few ?'s

[Slowerthnyou99]

Alright, I purchased an Eheim Classic 2217 for my 65 gallon today. Should be here next week sometime. I am currently fully cycled and have 2 bio wheels running. How long should I leave the bio wheels running with the canister to avoid losing all my bacteria? Would putting some type of bacteria starter help? I used the ATM Colony on my old tank and I feel like it helped speed things up.

Thanks

[Slowerthnyou99]

If it makes much of a difference, I have about 4-5 Java ferns, 10 Ludiwigias, and 4-5 saw grass plants that have been planted for 2 weeks or so.

[Taurus]

I'd leave the canister and hobs running together on the the tank for about 6 weeks or until you are sure that the biomedia in the canister is populated with nitrifying bacteria.

[Delphe]

Hello,

Just to propose some ideas as I don't know what space there is in a canister.
I might as well take out the wheel of one of the bio wheels and through the wheel into the canister to seed it and let the second filter run along with the canister for 6 weeks, if possible.

http://www.aquariumpart.com/v/vspfil...uin_manual.pdf

[Slowerthnyou99]

Hello,

Just to propose some ideas as I don't know what space there is in a canister.
I might as well take out the wheel of one of the bio wheels and through the wheel into the canister to seed it and let the second filter run along with the canister for 6 weeks, if possible.

http://www.aquariumpart.com/v/vspfil...uin_manual.pdf

I also thought about taking the biowheel apart and putting it in the canister.

Thanks for the tips guys. I have spent a lot of time and a lot of money on getting this tank running. I would hate to mess it up now and lose any of my prized fish.