How lonf do i wait before removing my old internal filter?

[dwalk]

I wasn't sure whether to post this here, or under technical, but here goes anyway,

In my wifes 100l bumble bee goby tank we have replaced the internal eheim 2008? with a JBL 120 canister filter. i have both running in the tank now, when would it be safe for me to remove the internal filter. The external filter hadn't been in use for about a year, and i added some new ceramic noodles into it. I was thinking of 2 weeks, would that be long enough?

[Jennifer]

In a new filter and an uncycled tank, Nitrosomonas (the bacteria which metabolise ammonia into nitrite) will establish almost immediately. The Nitrobacter (the bacteria which metabolise nitrite into nitrate) will establish in a week or more. However, you already have populations of these in your tank (if it is cycled) so you should be ok. However, I would use any old media from the old filter and put it in the new filter. Also, I would not do a gravel vacuum for a week or so after so at least you will have that population undisturbed while the new filter gets used to the new bioload.

[smidey]

yeah you will be sweet, when i have put new filters onto existing tanks i wait 2 minutes after the existing one is removed to add the new one.

[dwalk]

I'm a bit cautious still, it is my wifes tank, and if any fish get lost, my name would be mud .

[smidey]

I'm a bit cautious still, it is my wifes tank, and if any fish get lost, my name would be mud .

i am always in the mud, its just teh depth that varies.

[Cricketman]

run together for a week or so, then remove the internal.

Expect a mini-spike and mini-cycle, and adapt W/C's accordingly.