Bacteria

[FrankP]

Hi,

I have a small 60 cm tank that I am hoping to use for fry as I have a couple of expectant Guppies.

Basically this tank has been sat on one side for about 6 weeks wth only a small amount of water in it, no filtration and no heater. Can the bacteria I need have survived and thus shorten the tank run in period?
How can I test for this without risking a fish?
I have added some of the cycle stuff to help.

Advice would be appreciated

Thanks

Frank

 

[keane]

Hi,

i would think all the bacteria would have died by now.

if you already have a tank running (the one with the guppies in?!?) why don't you set up your 60cm tank with a heater and filter and put some of the filter media from your existing filter into the new one. This should create an almost instant cycle or at least speed things up hugely.

Alternatively, take some gravel from your running tank and hang it in your newly set up one using a stocking or filter bag. This would not be as quick as putting in your filter but would certainly cycle your tank quicker than a fishless cycle and quicker than using your bottled cycle treatment

HTH

tbr

 

[Inchworm]

Hi FrankP

I agree with thebaldranger. I would also suggest that you empty your tank and give it a thorough cleaning before you reuse it. Not all bacteria is beneficial and you don't know what could be growing in what has been stagnant water.

If you will be using the tank to house fry, you will not need to start with a great deal of beneficial bacteria, since they produce very little waste. As they grow, the bacteria will increase in number along with the amount of waste they produce.