Guppy Fry Tank

[countrygirl61658]

I have a five gallon tank I want to set up for guppy fry.I purchased a foam filter. If I put it in my excisting tank how long will it take to get benificial bacteria on it. Also would it do any good to use the tank water when I due a partial water change on my old tank for the fry tank? As far as the ph we have been talking about for now I am just going to keep it stable and see how the fish do since I have such a variety of fish.So far they look good.Thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

Fill the 5 gallon up with new water when you start it out.

It will take at least a month for the filter to seed, if not longer.

-FHM

 

[wantmorefish]

How long before the fry are born? It is best to use some of the water they are
born in and make sure the water temp is the same as your current tank. It will
take a month or longer for the bacteria to form. I am also going to start a tank
soon. good luck with your fry.

 

[OldMan47]

There is nothing in particular of value in used tank water for a new tank. It is what we use to clean filters just so that we don't end up cleaning them in chlorinated water. The longer you run the sponge in your existing tank, the better chance you have of getting the sponge cycled. I leave a few spare filters running on different tanks so that if I need one I can have a spare to move around. The 3 or 4 weeks advice that I have seen in many places has failed me too often for me to believe in that number.

 

[countrygirl61658]

Thanks for the help everyboby.I will leave the filter in at least a month. I wasn't going to add gravel but would it be better to add some of the gravel to get the bacteria going?

 

[wantmorefish]

I have heard that due to the fish food falling to the bottom of the tank, it is
best not to use gravel. If you just leave the tank bare, then you can siphon up
the waste food with a turkey baster, that way you dont suck up your baby fish.

 

[OldMan47]

If you want to use gravel from your existing tank to get a start on a new cycle it should help a bit, since a small percentage of the beneficial bacteria live in the gravel. Using some mature media would be a better way to seed a new filter though.