Fishless Cycling - Media

[Nick Sw]

Hi I intended to use the Fishless Cyling method to start my new tank up intially I thought I could use a product like API stress zyme to start my biological filter but after reading a few bad/poor reviews on this type of product I thought I might try and get hold of some gravel or filter media from a mature tank, maybe place some gravel in a tight or bag in my external Filter (Fluval 305) ?

Do I need to keep the gravel/filter media in tank water while I transport it to my tank ? How long will the bacteria survive outside of the tank system ?

If anyone has any any filter media / gravel from a mature tank in the west yorks area let me know.

Thanks Nick

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Put the gravel where it gets good flow from the filter- in it or near the the output. Keep the media wet all the time- if it dires out the bacteria will die. You should be fine if it goes into the new tank w/i a couple of hours of getting it. If you are worried re time, then add a drop or two of ammonia to the bucket with the gravel and water in it.

 

[Nick Sw]

Thanks for the reply , I just found out my mates mother has some Piranha`s so i`m going to get a cup full of gravel from that tank this weekend maybe put it in a box with water until I can get it in my filter. It`s only ten minutes away so should be ideal.