Cycling Delema

[Cephas]

Hi. I'm admittedly a n00b to seriously keeping fish and have hit a problem in terms of cycling my new tank (which is a small thirty-four litres - about eight gallons).

I was planning to try the trick of using gravel and filter "matter" from an existing tank to colonise a new one with good bacteria. I'd also planned to use the coral sand and "matter" from my parents' three year-old cichlid tank (which is rather large). But then I realised that the tank had recently had an explosion of pesky snails on every square inch of its surface.

My question is if I use the sand or filter "matter" from my parent's tank, is it likely for the snail problem to migrate into my new one?

(I don't know what the snails 'spawn' or lay theirs eggs into, but the sand or gravel sounds like a likely candidate.)

Also, for the record, we also have a fish pond (and by "fish" I mean the sole survivor of a batch of feeder fish that got put in there and gradually ravaged birds). Is there a way I could use something from that to colonise my tank as an alternative to the cichlid tank?

I know it's probably a stupid question, but any help'd really be appretiated.

 

[clutterydrawer]

i think, what with snails being snails, its likely that they will transfer to your new tank

also, you shouldnt use coral sand in yournew tank unless you are planning on keeping fish that like a high pH, because coral raises the pH of the water.

 

[Cephas]

Ah, okay, thanks heaps.

I'm only planning to start off with some platies before I put some more exotic, sensetive fish in there. Either way, none of them need nor like a high PH.

Out of interest, though, is there a way I could colonise my tank with bacteria via our fish pond?

 

[sylvia]

The fish pond could be risky as it's easy to introduce disease. However, going back to your parents' tank - you can borrow a small piece of filter media and that should start off your bacteria colony. That shouldn't introduce snails. Remember to immediately add an ammonia source though - or the bacteria will starve and die out.

 

[Cephas]

Thanks to you, too.

I've only got two more questions left:

I) How exactly do I use the filter media to colonise my tank? )

Through my research I've read that you put it in something like a stocking and let it sit in the water for a while, but that may have only been relevant to the gravel. Or do I put it directly into my own filter (it's built into the tank's hood, so theoretically it shouldn't be too difficult.)

and;

II) Seeing as though I don't have a source for pure ammonia to feed the bacteria, what can I use? I also recall reading something about food or a frozen prawn...

Anyway, sorry for all of the no-doubt irritating n00b questions.

 

[Undawada]

Either way of introducing the bacteria will work. The stocking makes it easier to remove after you're done, though.

The best source for pure ammonia is, surprisingly enoguh, pure ammonia.

You can buy it as a cleaning product, just make sure it is pure ammonia with no scents or detergents. People use it clean floors and such.

The food/frozen prawn will just pollute your tank. It might add ammonia when it decomposes, but don't go that route... it spells disaster.

There are threads with details about fishless cycling, which is what you're trying to do.

What you need to do is :

1. Read as much as you can about the Nitrogen Cycle

2. Read as much as you can about fishless cycling and setting up a new tank

3. Ask questions

4. Buy test kits before you do anything! You DEFINITELY need PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kits.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Cephas

In a fully cycled tank, the beneficial bacteria live on all the surfaces. This includes the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of gravel, the filter media, on plants, decorations and the glass itself. Any of these things can be added from another cycled tank to grow in your new tank.

The bacteria itself will multiply (within reason) to consume the amount of ammonia wastes your fish produce and convert it to nitrites. Other beneficial bacteria will then convert the nitrites into nitrates. Once you have added some from another source, you can just add a small fish or two, but no more. They will feed the bacteria which will rapidly multiply. Gradually add additional fish, giving the bacteria time to increase in between each addition.

If you have your test kits, which I strongly recommend, you can test it regularly to be sure that the ammonia your fish are producing are not getting ahead of the bacteria's reproduction. If your test results show ammonia or nitrites, just do water changes to bring the readings back in line.

It's always better to cycle slowly than to hurry things and harm the fish.

Don't use anything from outside to cycle with; it's just too risky. It would be better to take a chance with the filter media because snails can always be removed manually. Just check it over (while under tank water) and remove any snails that you see before adding it to your tank. Other than doing that, don't rinse the media off, or expose it to the air, or you will lose the bacteria, and do add the fish as soon as possible.

This might sound like a lot of work, but in the end you will have an aquarium that will give you many hours of pleasure. Good luck with it!

 

[sylvia]

I'd put the filter media from the established tank directly into your filter. You can take it out later if you want but I'd actualy just leave it there.

Other than using pure ammonia, fish food or a frozen prawn, you can get live fish. IMO, fish food is ok to use provided you do a good gravel vacuum and water change before introducing fish.

If you want to go for live fish, get them at the same time as you get the media so that the bacteria don't die out from starvation. Also, don't get too many fish - a couple of small ones is best. You'll have an instant cycle as you'll be introducing enough bacteria with the filter media to sustain the 2 small fish. Test your water to make sure you don't get any spikes (you shouldn't but do water changes if you do) and then I'm pretty sure you'll have a cycled tank and be ready for more fish the following week.