Using a freshwater filter

[CWalker]

I'm new to saltwater, but I've just broken down my freshwater discus tank which was running a FLUVAL FX6 canister filter with a load of alphagrog, sponge and ceramic media.

I read somewhere that it's possible to put a freshwater filter in saltwater to get a headstart on the cycling process.

Is this correct? Wouldn't the bacteria just die off when exposed to saltwater?

 

[Theo15]

I have read the same thing and tried it with my fluval filter , I broke down my cichlid tank and decided to go saltwater, I tried to use the filter to help speed the aquarium but it was a complete disaster!!, the bacteria died when exposed to the salt water causing it to form a white crust on a lost everything that they were on , I had to use a razor blade to scrap all the dead bacteria off the sides of my glass and equipment , in my opinion it's not worth it based on my experience

 

[ReeferZach]

I'm new to saltwater, but I've just broken down my freshwater discus tank which was running a FLUVAL FX6 canister filter with a load of alphagrog, sponge and ceramic media.

I read somewhere that it's possible to put a freshwater filter in saltwater to get a headstart on the cycling process.

Is this correct? Wouldn't the bacteria just die off when exposed to saltwater?

Rinse off all the media in the filter. Itll kill all the bacteria, but it's fine to start from scratch. You might need to add more filtration, like a HOB
skimmer. Just get some live rock and preferably live sand in the tank, and dose dormamt beneficial bacteria, and then slowly add animals. As long as you add animals slow, you'll be alright

 

[Flippers4pups]

Canister filters use is mostly considered "mechcanical" filtration and should be applied as such. Many people use this as a way to clarify the water column, in other words, make the water "clear", not as a means of supplying a source of bacteria.

Most long time reefers will agree that canister filters aren't worth the hassle to use. They become "dirty" quickly and become a nitrate source if not maintained properly. Taking it apart, cleaning it and setting it up became a "hassle" and quickly learned that they are not needed. I stopped using one very shortly after starting this hobby and quickly went with the "Berlin method" back then.

Your best bet is to cycle a saltwater tank is using live rock and sand. The nitrifying bacteria with colonize and cover everything in the tank in short time. Adding a bacterial supplement to "kick start" this process is widely used as well.

Another way is to "ghost feed" a newly set up system by placing pieces of frozen shrimp in the tank to decay, thus feeding the nitrifying bacteria.

Placing a "seasoned" filter media into the tank to jump start the cycling process is used in Qt systems, but your best bet for a DT would be "live"rock and sand.