I am getting a new tank so Im doing a little filter switching. I have a established 55 gallon that I want to add another (new) power filter to... On the new tank I will be running an established filter with a new filter as well. My question is, will running an established filter with a new one ruin my cycle? Are there any steps I can take to make the transition go smoother?

You can drop the cartridges or bio media from your exsisting filter in the tank or the new filter. What brand filter do you have and what brand is the new one?

All of my filters are Aquaclear. So I could take some media from an exsiting one and place it in the new one? Then run them together?

Anyone else have any suggestions?

If I understand you correctly, you are starting up a new filter on each tank - not starting up a new tank, right? If you have a fully cycled filter to run on the tank, and that filter is up to the job of handling all the waste of the fish in the tank - then it will continue to handle all the waste. If you are placing it on a larger tank, it will struggle for a VERY short time (a day or two) for it will not be able to get all the waste laden water pumped through (it will be diluted) often enough to get it processed as easily. The new filter will pass water through it, but has no beneficial bacteria in it to process.

Bacteria will transfer from the old filter to the new filter in a matter of a week or so, unless you have a UV unit running on your tank.

You will not kill or damage your cycle in any way by simply placing the new filter on the tank. But you can speed the transition and probably make is so you notice no bump at all in the cycle if you split the seasoned media from your old filter and put 1/2 of it in the new filter. That way, as the waste is pulled through both filters, the beneficial bacteria can process it, and, with the seed, they can grow a larger colony to populate the new media.

If you are adding new fish load as you go to a larger tank, you may notice a bump in the cycle as the bacterial colony laggs in growing to accomadate the new fish load. This should not take very long to even out, either.

Thank you Daryl!! I actually am putting a new filter along with the old one on an exisisting tank and I am getting a NEW tank which I have an established and also a new filter for. Confusing huh?

Sounds like FUN!! New tanks are GREAT!

Its especially great when its the biggest one yet!

Thanks for the help. I added a new filter to my 55 last night and took a bag of media from the exsisting one to get it started.