Growing Bacteria On Ex1200 Media

[BeezerGeezer]

I've bought a new filter in preparation for the new tank and I'm trying to think of ways to get bacteria on the filter media. If I was to put the bio balls in a mesh bag and hang it in my existing tank would that suffice? Presumably the bacteria will grow anywhere within the water environment, not just in the filter?

 

[CezzaXV]

The bacteria tends to grow on surfaces where there is high levels of water flow, so mainly in the filter. While some will grow inside the tank, it's neglible compared to what is in the filter.

From what I can gather, you already have an established tank and are setting up a new one? In that case, when the tank is ready for fish you can quite safely remove (and replace) one third of the media from the filter in your old tank and transfer it to the new one. Then you can safely start your tank off with roughly one third of the original tank's stocking and build up gradually from there. Monitor levels in both tanks for a few days to make sure the transfer has gone okay.

 

[BeezerGeezer]

They are completely different types of media, stones in one and plastic balls in the other . Also the new environment will be over 4 times the volume of the old one. Logically it's the number of fish that is important?

 

[CezzaXV]

Yes, it's the number of fish which is important. Say you had 12 neons in your original tank and you took a third of the media, your new filter could safely support four neons at that point, regardless of the size of the new tank.

The type of media is mostly irrelevant. While there are all sorts of different types out there, most of them (and certainly the types you have) are just there to provide a surface for the bacteria to grow on. The actual shape and design is unimportant.

 

[BeezerGeezer]

Eeeexcellent! Thanks for your help.