Filter Media And Carbon

[LadySamsara]

Greetings all,
 
I haven't had a working tank since 2007.  I boxed up all of my fish paraphernalia, which included filter media and carbon which have been kept separately in ziploc bags.  Neither have a bad smell or look funny, like they are falling apart - they both look normal.  My question is - can I use these products if they have been sitting for 6 years now or just go and buy new?  It sounds like so long but I don't know if these things go bad or not. 
 
Any feedback would be appreciated - Thank you!

 

[the_lock_man]

They should be usable, but you would have to cycle the filter again. Whilst bacteria can survive quite some time without ammonia/nitrite or oxygenated water, if any have survived whilst dormant, it will take them ages to recover.

 

[l_l_l]

Hi! This is a very good question, I had the same a few days ago but decided I'd throw them away and start with fresh new stuff just to make sure everything goes AOK.

 

[LadySamsara]

Thank you to the_lock_man and l_l_l for your replies.  I am going on vacation in a week, and will not be setting the tank back up until I return.  I will take another look at them and see how they look.  I need some more supplies anyway, so they really aren't an expensive thing to rebuy.  But - considering I had to break down the tank before my vacation and rebuy $15.00 worth of gravel (my first fishless cycle did not go well) any money saved would be a plus! (I also dropped the tank cover and broke a bulb in the process, check to replacing that and hoping I didn't break the cover)
 
I'll post again once I have sucessfully cycled without fish.  I am psyched to cycle the tank this way!  I will be stocking with female bettas - I saw just the cutest teeny tiny one that I could not even imagine hurting during a cycle
 
Thanks again for your help,
D

 

[l_l_l]

Thank you to the_lock_man and l_l_l for your replies.  I am going on vacation in a week, and will not be setting the tank back up until I return.  I will take another look at them and see how they look.  I need some more supplies anyway, so they really aren't an expensive thing to rebuy.  But - considering I had to break down the tank before my vacation and rebuy $15.00 worth of gravel (my first fishless cycle did not go well) any money saved would be a plus! (I also dropped the tank cover and broke a bulb in the process, check to replacing that and hoping I didn't break the cover)
 
I'll post again once I have sucessfully cycled without fish.  I am psyched to cycle the tank this way!  I will be stocking with female bettas - I saw just the cutest teeny tiny one that I could not even imagine hurting during a cycle
 
Thanks again for your help,
D

I wish you the best of luck !
I am also planning on starting a Betta sorority in my 46Gallon that is presently empty.
I first need to build that damn aquarium stand! XD
 
Just make sure you put more than 5 in the tank! They will establish a ranking and the nipping will be well divided ammongst them.
And also, I have seen people reporting that they are best in odd numbers. Depending on the type of bulbs that you are using, they might be not really expensive.
One thing you could always do is to put a bunch of plants in the tank to start with
Cheers!

 

[LadySamsara]

Thank you for the information l_l_l_....I was not sure how many to put in.  I'll also be adding a mystering snail and a few ghost shrimp so I thought at least 4 females would not be too much fish for the tank, but I will do five, what's one more?   I am only talking about a 10 gallon tank (I am not allowed anything larger in my apt.) but I am always on top of water changes and such, so I think I will be fine.  I am also considering making one male Betta a very happy fellow, as he will be the only fish with the shrimp and the snails.  They have such cute, endearing personalities, and I always feel like I am saving one from a damned fish bowl or lilly plant -  Grrrrr.  Lastly, I was considering a group of fancy guppy males, they are so bright and pretty.   I guess once it is all set I will go to the store and see what grabs me and looks nice and healthy!  
 
The bulb is the normal cheap bulb that comes with the basic tank sets.  Not the good ones, I cannot think of the name.  BTW, I kill all plants lol. 
 
Any feedback you can give me on my choices for the tank  would be appreciated!  Seems like you know your stuff!
 
Good luck on your sorority - females bettas are just so irresistable.
 
D

 

[l_l_l]

Hello!
 
I see that you only have a 10 gallon tank! If you are going to set a sorority you are better dealing with a 20 gallon tank.
10 gallon is simply not enough space for all of them to be together.
It might work, but with aggressive fish like those, you want them to have more space so they can have a territory that is not cramped up! It's not just an issue of water quality

..
 
I am glad that you know that Betta fish are not supposed to be in really small pots and I'm sure you would make a great owner! I think that they are also really cute and have a lot of personality!
 
If you really only can have a 10 gallon tank, then you will be fine with one Betta, shrimp and snail.. And for the shrimp, I think they are awesome! They produce little waste and are really hardy. But be warry, your Betta might eat them once in a while..
I suggest that if you do that, you may want to have a few low light plants in there to provide shelter for both of your Betta and your snail. Betta fish like to take naps once in a while..
There are a lot of plants that you can grow without a lot of light and care, you'd be surprised!
 
I suggest you read through this website like I did, it helped me a lot in setting up my tank, I had a Betta in mind all along.. They cover most of the aspects, from plant, to tank mates, to care.
http/bettasplendid.weebly.com/
I also went through this website:
http/bettacare101.com/
 
Both of those website were really good helpers and I think they might help you as well!
 
As for the Guppy, I really have no idea on how to treat them! I have never had any and never had the intention of getting some, so no knowledge on them whatsoever!

 
As for the light, I'm thinking you might be referring to hallogen bulbs, they can run at about 5$ each.
 
Hopefully I have helped you a bit!
 
Cheers!

 

[LadySamsara]

Greeting l_l_l and thank you once again for your expertise~!  I will nix the femme Bettas, I do not want any injuries in my tank.  The whole purpose of a tank is sereneity and peace, not injury . 
 
The one male Betta is definitely an option, I am a sucker for them, have been keeping them since 2004.  There was a time I had about 4 tanks scattered throughout my apt. with them, most of them the sickest looking ones in the store that I would buy and make well.  I am such a sucker for the underdog or runt.   I remember one I saw in a pet store in the corner, in filthy water, fins gone and apparently forgotten about.  I named him Chance, as I thought I gave him a second chance.  He went on to be one of the most beautiful Bettas I ever owned and was with me for years .  As I said, I love their antics and personalities!
 
I did do some research on the guppies.  The first sites I went to previously and the fish store said they were peaceful fish in a school, and I would have enough room for 6.  Now I am doing a little more research and have found the following in just minutes:    "What I find happens is that, well first off, if any male is larger than the others, they'll all treat him as a female and chase him to death. Also, what happened when I tried it was once they established the pecking order, the lowest got chased the most until he died, and then the next lowest, and so one til I had only one left. I think, personally, that without any females to distract them, they just take out their frustrations on the least dominant male".
 
"Keeping all male Guppies in a tank works just fine, especially if they are all added at the same time. They'll harass a 'new guy'. (They will all be added at once). 
 
Now I am re-thinking the guppies, as the last thing I want is any of them being harassed and possibly hurt.  I could not bear to watch that. 
 
I was also seriously considering neons at first, they are so pretty and active, but am terrified of Neon Tetra disease.  Maybe I am overreacting but I don't want to sign up for problems right off the bat.
 
When I return from vacation I will start my cycle and do some more research.  I will probably post for some recommendations, as the last thing I want is an unhappy tank.
 
Again, I appreciate your help SO much and will definitely check out the links you sent me. 
 
Have a great weekend,
D.