Filter cycling question

[smithrc]

Right.. in about 5 weeks time the 35gal will be getting setup (when we get back from holiday and our building work is done)

anyway... I've taken the filter out of the box and i've set it up in the 4ft...

When we're ready to go - I'll transfer the filter and put 50% tank water in to the new tank...

If i get chance, i'll put some of the substrate for the new tank into some stockings and leave it in the 4ft too...

will this transfer enough bacteria to support some fish?

I've been trying to find ammonia locally with no joy so its a fishy cycle...

this however should be more than likely cycled... right?

 

[parker313]

The easiest way to know for sure is by testing the water. The ammonia and nitrate levels will rise and then when they get back to 0, you should be good to go.

 

[smithrc]

yep - i'll be testing...

Do the bacteria need ammonia to live... eg if i set it up without fish the bacteria would die? and i'd have to cycle from scratch...

P.S. the water quality in the 4ft is really clear at the moment

 

[Sky042]

it sounds like you should have enough bacteria to support some livestock. Though I'd probably also see if I could take the media out of the old filter and stick it into the new one when you make the switch.

 

[tstenback]

yep - i'll be testing...

Do the bacteria need ammonia to live... eg if i set it up without fish the bacteria would die? and i'd have to cycle from scratch...

P.S. the water quality in the 4ft is really clear at the moment

Yes the bacteria need an ammonia source to live. If the source is not available the bacteria will die out fairly quickly and you will have to start again.

 

[EX-AmP]

be careful for big spikes. this tends to happen with newer tanks

 

[smithrc]

it sounds like you should have enough bacteria to support some livestock. Though I'd probably also see if I could take the media out of the old filter and stick it into the new one when you make the switch.

I'm already running the new filter in our exsisting tank so it'll have 5 weeks to mature in an already stable tank...

I may try even harder to get some ammonia... at least then i can add some and check the bacteria get rid of it quickly enough to support fish...

Did i remember someone in the uk offering to post bottles out??

off to have a search.

 

[smithrc]

yep - i'll be testing...

Do the bacteria need ammonia to live... eg if i set it up without fish the bacteria would die? and i'd have to cycle from scratch...

P.S. the water quality in the 4ft is really clear at the moment

Yes the bacteria need an ammonia source to live. If the source is not available the bacteria will die out fairly quickly and you will have to start again.

Thats exactly what i thought.

cheers

 

[tstenback]

I know someone said that it is available at jeyes.

 

[smithrc]

I know someone said that it is available at jeyes.

it was a product called Jayes Kleenup or something like that - can't find any

 

[smithrc]

Jeyes Kleen off - Ammonia Household Cleaner

I might pop to the local school and have a word with an old teacher or 2 (if they are still there!!)

 

[Sky042]

it sounds like you should have enough bacteria to support some livestock. Though I'd probably also see if I could take the media out of the old filter and stick it into the new one when you make the switch.

I'm already running the new filter in our exsisting tank so it'll have 5 weeks to mature in an already stable tank...

I may try even harder to get some ammonia... at least then i can add some and check the bacteria get rid of it quickly enough to support fish...

Did i remember someone in the uk offering to post bottles out??

off to have a search.

I know you're running it in the existing tank for 5 weeks. I was just saying that when the time comes to make the switch move the filter over and for good measure stick some of the media from the oldest filter into the newer one. It certainly can't hurt. I did this when switching over my oscar and saw no spike.

 

[Weirdfish]

This is what it looks like.

The best places to try are those old hardware shops that you wonder how they are still in business.

 

[smithrc]

Cheers