Cycling Advice Needed.

[Ethan040]

Hi, ive just started my first tank its a 10gallon tank a arcadia arc.

Can i cycle it with just old filter media out of a very well running tank its been going for 2+ years with no problems?

Ive allready put some in and about a pint of there water the used media i just squeezed it until it looked clean loads of bits came out so much that i couldnt see the back of the tank.

Thanks

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds like you have started a nice clone on that tank. By the time the water clears you will have a nice starter colony of bacteria on the new filter. Form there you need to decide whether you are going to do a fishless or a fish-in cycle. There is a link to each in my signature area. The fishless means no harm to fish and no real water changes needed to get going, but it does require a small supply of pure ammonia in the form of an ammonium hydroxide solution. It should be available in the cleaning products area of many stores. A fish-in cycle will mean lots of water changes until the filter is cycled. For a nice clone, that can often take less than a week to finish. Either way there is the need to test your water at least daily to make sure things are going OK which means you will need a decent liquid type test kit able to test at least ammonia, pH and nitrites. Hardness, KH and nitrates are also nice to have but not really needed in most cases.

 

[Ethan040]

Thanks for the info im going to have a read of the guides now ive read a few elsewhere but there all so different.

I read fish in cycle can harm them so i don't really fancy that but pure ammonia seems impossible to find near me (UK Nottingham).

Ive got the API Master test kit coming whenever royal mail start delivering again got it for the bargain price of £18 from ebay i will post my results up when it comes.

Thanks, Ethan

 

[OldMan47]

In the UK, we usually see Boots, B&Q or Homebase recommended as the place to find ammonia. It is in the mops and brooms section.