Bacteria Build Up

[hungryguppy]

hey, i put some bio-balls from my unmature eheim canister into a stocking with some gravel from a mature tank on sunday. will there be enough bacteria to jumpstart my cycling? am i going to want to crank the heat up in my tank?

 

[Maxta]

Im curious also.

How long does it actually take for bacteria to form. I have some media in my dads filter, and some in my tank, ready to all be lumped together next week for my new one.

 

[*Fishkies*]

It may take at least a week for things to start to grow and actually materialize so that you can see what is growing.

 

[hungryguppy]

i have some gravel from a mature tank in there, does this help?

 

[vinylman]

Yes, up to a point; the ideal would be to get some mature filter media.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Gravel will help start up your cycle, however as mentioned above, filter media from a previous setup/cycled tank will be of much better help also.

 

[hungryguppy]

Filter media? like the carbon from my eclipse system, or the blue webbing?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Does the tank have any fish in it at the moment (if so, what types and how many)?

 

[hungryguppy]

my twelve gallon has two black widows, a mollie, a goldfish, and a gourami. all get along fine, tank has been running for a year now.

 

[vinylman]

my twelve gallon has two black widows, a mollie, a goldfish, and a gourami. all get along fine, tank has been running for a year now.

A coldwater fish in with tropicals?. What temperature is your tank?.

 

[Maxta]

Good job my tanks been delayed, allows the bacteria to build up on my media more now.

 

[hungryguppy]

ive had the mollie for a year, no problems, even had fry. the temps 72-75

 

[WILDER]

That tank is way overstocked i'm afraid.
The first goldfish alone needs 20 gallon as they are massive waste producers, and need excellent filters.
The black widow tetra need 20 gallons also as they are quite big tetras.
I would rehome the goldfish or buy a 30 gallon tank.

 

[hungryguppy]

were talking about a carnival goldfish. the black widows have been in there for three months with the mollie and the gourami absoulutley no amonia nitrie or nitrate problems. the only problem ive ever had is algae from being under a window.

 

[vinylman]

But you can't keep a Goldfish in optimum conditions with tropicals. Goldfish need a lot of room, carnival or not. Also, the warmer the water, the less oxygen it holds; Goldfish need (at least) cool water.