How Long?

[Honeythorn]

Hello, As mentioned in the other thread I made, I am setting up a 15 gal for a single female krib and hopefully a betta.

I currently have the filter for the tank ( fluval 3 ) sitting in my 30 gallon to mature it . The 30 gal has been set up nearly 2 years with an Eheim 2215 external cannister filter, and is healthy.

I have never matured a second filter in an already set up tank before, and I would like to know roughly how long I can expect it to take to mature properly , as I would like to be able to acclimate the fish quickly and safely with as little stress as possible. I will also be adding half of the new tank's water from my main tank, as the krib is being moved from there.

All advice appreciated, thanks for reading

 

[Colin_T]

it will take about 4 weeks for the new filter to develop enough bacteria to keep the water clean. If you take some of the filter media from the established filter and put it into the new filter, then it will happen a lot quicker.

When you remove the new filter the old filter will have to develop more bacteria to replace the stuff that got taken away. This means you might get an ammonia reading for a day or two after you move the new filter. Keep the feeding down for a couple of days and monitor the water quality during this time.

Why do you only want a single female krib in the tank and not a pair?

 

[Honeythorn]

4 weeks? Okey dokey thanks for that.

I can't swap filter medias about because the two filters are completely different brands and take different media. The fluval 3 has it's own sponges designed for that filter. The Eheim contains large circular sponges and ceramic media ( the little tubes ) .

I am moving the female because the other female ( it seems I have 2 instead of one of each sex ) picks on her a hell of a lot. I'm not interested breeding them at all.

I bought them quite a while ago and was told to get 2, which I realise was a mistake now I appear to have 2 females ( I have looked at many pictures and desripctions ) . Now they are both mature they are constantly at odds, and the dominant fish bullies her a lot. There are no ripped fins or anything but she is very stressed, and I don't want an outbreak of illness because of that.

It's taken a lot of persuading to get my mother to allow me to set up the spare tank, and I really wish to move the krib as she is very unhappy and dull, and just lurks in a corner for most of the day when not being chased. I even have to feed her seperately to try and avoid more bullying. I know someone who is desperately trying to get rid of many of his 80 bettas, and I have space in this new setup for one. Since the tank will be mainly for raising plant cuttings and is quite tall, I figured both fish will easily be able to keep away from eachother due the tank levels they occupy. If it doesn't work out with her and the betta then she will go to my brother's tank.

 

[rossyt99]

Hi,
It might help the process if you added some old gravel/sand(?) from your established tank. > And soak your Fluval sponge in other old water for a bit.

Good luck. (Kribs are )

 

[Colin_T]

fair enough, sounds like you have got everything going according to plan. Just a matter of waiting it out now.
The ceramic tubes from the Eheim could be moved into the Fluval. You would have to take something out of the Fluval for it to fit but there should be space for them.
But isn't it typical of companies to make their products slightly different so you can transfer stuff from one to the other without making some modifications. I spose it's a good marketing ploy on their behalf