Moving filter media

[deeare]

Hi all! I am new to the hobby and thinking myself thrifty I got the aio marina 10 gallon. Fast forward to now, 2 months later things have been going great but I recently saw my nitrates jump and the filter media looked pretty gnarly. I got a tidal 35 and set it alongside the current filter while i wait for the new tank, but I'm curious can I cut open the cartridge holding the media from the old filter and add it to the bag of media in the new filter without affecting the levels negatively. Thanks!

 

[Saltyreef]

theres likely just carbon inside and not biomedia. I wouldnt cut it open and just discard it. Your bacteria colony should be encysted in the rock and sand.