If My Friend Is Willing To Donate Some Of His Filter Media To Kick Sta

[MrBThatsMe]

I just found out that my friend has a small tropical tank that he's had for probably more than 6 months now and the fish appear to be live and healthy according to his girlfriend. I have yet to hear from him personally so at this point it is only speculation but assuming that all is good and he is willing to donate some media to me, what do I ask him for? A certain percentage of the sponge insert before he does his usual clean, and to keep it soaked in some of the 'dirty' water from his tank? If so, do I simply put that piece of foam into my filter by cutting out a segment of the new sponge to make room for it? Would it also be beneficial to put some of the 'dirty' water from his tank into mine? (I have no fish yet and still haven't filled the tank with water)

If he does donate the media, will his fish be ok if he replaces the section of media with a new piece? I am going to order a master test kit and most likely a Fluval U2 filter for my 24"x12"x13" tank this weekend and fill the tank today. I have read through a fair bit of the beginners resources and the relevent stuff regarding media donations but being a beginner I've overdosed on info and can't remember if the steps I mentioned above are the 100% correct ones. I also pm'd the donator from the Tyne & Wear area but it appears he is inactive these days so here's to hoping my friend can help out!

Thank you.

Edit: Sorry about the cut-off title I was unaware of the character limits.

 

[mike455555]

when i take media from one tank to another i just clean my filter in tank water (in a bucket or something) then tip the water in my other tank... and put the filter back in... his fish will be fine =] its just like cleaning the filter (i think)

 

[MrBThatsMe]

OK, so if I was to ask him to cut off say, 25% of his sponge media (or whatever media he is using for that matter) and insert it into my (soon to be) Fluval U2 filter along with new, unused media, both his tank and my tank will be ok and safe for fish? Thanks

 

[mike455555]

i cant see a problem.. he might get a slight ammonia spike. from the loss of bacteria but if its only 25% it should be multiplying and be back in no time?

 

[fluttermoth]

You do need actual media, rather than just water; the bacteria grip on quite tightly! It does need to be kept wet, and put in your filter as soon as possible. He can donate up to a third of his media safely, as a mature bacterial colony can double in around 24 hours.

He'll need to replace the media with new, and you'll need to either add fish, or feed your tank with ammonia straight away, or the bacteria will die off, so make sure you're prepared.

If you do stock with fish, remember that you'll only be able to stock with the same bioload as the media was supporting before (so, if he gives you 1/4 of his media, and his tank holds 10 guppies, you can only add 2 or 3 small, guppy sized, fish)

Both tanks should be fed lightly for a couple of days and tested for ammonia and nitrites, if possible, just to ensure the bacteria have transfered properly..

 

[MrBThatsMe]

Ok thanks that is very helpful to me.

 

[Aqua Tom]

ask for 1/3rd of his media, the filter will run quite happily without this. I always donate 1/3rd media.

 

[MrBThatsMe]

Thanks I wil do that