Bacteria Experts

[JenCliBee]

Hi all, ive just aquired a small pretty much 15x15x15 inch tank which is currently housing 2 goldfish...yes i know this is way to small for goldfish but they are going to be housed in my brothers pond as soon as i pick the tank up.

Tank is going to become a shrimp tank....what i want to know is, the bacteria that is produced for coldwater fish ie. goldfish is it the same as the bacteria produced in a tropical fish tank?

Was hoping to just change water, give a good clean etc etc and add a heater and hoped that it would be cycled.

What do the experts think?


Thanks in advance for the help

jen

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Jen,

The filter bacteria (I assume thats what you are asking about?) for coldwater is the same as for tropical, so a little clean and away you go.

The bacteria only differs when you switch from fresh to saltwater.

The bacteria do work more slowly in coldwater, and I believe because of that larger colonies are needed to take care of the waste (part of the reason goldfish need big filters). When you switch to shrimp, you should have ample bacteria in order that no mini-cycles should occur.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on?

BTT

 

[JenCliBee]

Hi Jen,

The filter bacteria (I assume thats what you are asking about?) for coldwater is the same as for tropical, so a little clean and away you go.

The bacteria only differs when you switch from fresh to saltwater.

The bacteria do work more slowly in coldwater, and I believe because of that larger colonies are needed to take care of the waste (part of the reason goldfish need big filters). When you switch to shrimp, you should have ample bacteria in order that no mini-cycles should occur.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on?

BTT

Cheers backtotropical, unfortuanatley the bloke washed all the media under tap water to clean ready for me to pick it up .

Lucky enough i have spare cycled media that fits it perfect at least, but the other half is already trying to comondear the tank for herslf for a few livebearers .

Will let you know how it pans out lol.

thanks again mate

jen

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds to me like the other half is the better half. I love my livebearers and would happily commandeer any space that I could to have more of them. As BTT said, the bacteria in a freshwater tank are always the same within the range of temperatures that we keep. Salt water and freshwater sewerage treatment use different bacteria but we shouldn't have or want those bacteria.

 

[JenCliBee]

It sounds to me like the other half is the better half.

LOL, your not the first to say this

I love my livebearers and would happily commandeer any space that I could to have more of them. As BTT said, the bacteria in a freshwater tank are always the same within the range of temperatures that we keep. Salt water and freshwater sewerage treatment use different bacteria but we shouldn't have or want those bacteria.

Thanks for the info mate, i personally think tank is a bit small (40ltr) for livebearers but is perfect for shrimp so i think down the shrimp and snail line it is .

Thanks both for your help though much apprieciated as always.


jen

 

[OldMan47]

40 litres is just right for guppies, endlers or Heterandria formosa. There is no such thing as a tank that can't fit the right livebearer.

 

[JenCliBee]

40 litres is just right for guppies, endlers or Heterandria formosa. There is no such thing as a tank that can't fit the right livebearer.

and pretends he never ever read that