Cycling with fish

[Katchan]

I've just set up a birthing tank my lyretail sword who should be due anytime. Only problem is the filter media is brand new, so I guess its going to be cycling while shes in it, would this be really stressful or only mild

Katchan

PS - the substrate is from when the tank was last used 3-4 weeks ago and has been kept under about an inch of water, but I doubt there would be any beneficial bacteria left, am I right?

 

[black angel]

i dont think for the amount of time she will be in it she will get stressed by it. the babies might get an effect from it but it should be minimal. add a level teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon to help them through any nitrite that might happen.
keep checking for ammonia and nitrite each day and if they get near 1 then start doing water changes.
good luck with the babies

what filter will you be using?

 

[Katchan]

Thanks for the advice, the filter is a chinese cheapo (resun) power filter, but its been fine in my tanks before (new media not new filter). Will add some salt and do as per suggestions

Katchan

 

[black angel]

i have the resun 1000 in my big tank and i think its a brilliant filter. wont you have the babies being sucked into it though? stocking cover will stop that though.

 

[yvez9]

just take a small piece of filter media from an established tank and put it in the filter

babies don't produce much waste so the cycle would be done around the same time the babies grow. just a small sponge or something will be fine

 

[Katchan]

For some reason I didn't think of that , have added some bioball/rock media from my sons tank, and also added salt, so now just waiting for her to pop, hoping for a few lyretail fry instead of just plain swordies. My resun filter has sponge media right at the intake slots so it should be ok. (but if i see the fry having trouble near it I'll put some mesh or somthing over the intake)

Katchan