Could I

[Bojangles]

Do a fishless cycle on a new filter in a bucket?

As some of you might know im having ammonia problems in my tank but was wondering if i could cycle a fluval 2 plus in a 10 litre bucket using bottled ammonia

 

[Schmill]

I see no reason why not, the filter doesn't know the difference between a tank and a bucket.
However don't forget it will need to be an aerated, heated, bucket that you are running your filter in

 

[backtotropical]

Agreed. Don't see why not.

Be aware however that by doing it that way, your filter will only cycle to the extent of processing the waste from the amount of fish which would reasonably stock a 10 litre tank (ie. a 200 litre tank fully stocked will produce 20x more ammonia than a 10 litre fully stocked).

Its not just as simple as adding more ammonia to cycle the filter to a greater degree, because in a solution more saturated than around 8ppm, the bacteria you want won't grow.

What size is the tank you intend to use it for, and will it be fully stocked?

 

[Bojangles]

Agreed. Don't see why not.

Be aware however that by doing it that way, your filter will only cycle to the extent of processing the waste from the amount of fish which would reasonably stock a 10 litre tank (ie. a 200 litre tank fully stocked will produce 20x more ammonia than a 10 litre fully stocked).

Its not just as simple as adding more ammonia to cycle the filter to a greater degree, because in a solution more saturated than around 8ppm, the bacteria you want won't grow.

What size is the tank you intend to use it for, and will it be fully stocked?

The tank size will be 15 gallon i have two filters in there at the moment but as i say im having ammonia problems and cant get it down past 0.25 ppm

At the moment there is 3 catfish and 1 male betta which will be the only fish in the tank till end of december begining of jan

 

[backtotropical]

In that case it would definitely help to add a cycled filter.

Don't you know anyone with a mature tank who could give you some media? To be honest, by the time you fishless cycle a filter in a bucket, your ammonia problems will probably be resolved anyway.

How long has the tank been set up?

 

[Bojangles]

In that case it would definitely help to add a cycled filter.

Don't you know anyone with a mature tank who could give you some media? To be honest, by the time you fishless cycle a filter in a bucket, your ammonia problems will probably be resolved anyway.

How long has the tank been set up?

Tank has been up and running 3 weeks then i bought a filter from petertr but it was too big for my tank so i added all the mature media in to my stingray filter i could then made the error of taking the word of my lfs bloke and added the male betta to the 15 gallon tank then a week or so later 3 catfish

I am actually thinking of buying a bigger tank and doing a proper fishless cycle then putting the 4 fish out of the 15 gallon in there and just using the old tank as a hospital