Mature Filter Media- What Is This Exactly & How Do I Use It?

[lillykinloo]

Hi again everyone! Thanks for all of the great help I've been receiving on this board. It's been very useful.

I have yet another question about cycling. I am in the process of cycling a 37 gallon Eclipse "show tank" with a carbon filter and a bio-wheel. I've read that using mature filter media can speed along the process. I have a local brother-in-law that has a 20 gallon fish tank. I know they would be willing to give me some filter media to help my cycling along. But, I have several questions about this:

1. What is mature filter media?
2. Once I get it, how do I use it?
3. I'm not really sure that my brother-in-law does water changes or changes his filter. Should I avoid using his filter media? Could his filter media spread disease to my fish? (his fish do not have ick or appear to be ill)
4. My ammonia level is currently at 0.5. Is there enough ammonia in the tank for the bacteria to eat once the mature filter media is introduced to my tank?

Thanks again!

 

[tnhowery]

1. Filter media that has been in a mature cycled tank.
2. Couple different options...
a. run your filter in the mature tank for a couple of weeks.
b. use their filter media in your filter
c. use some of the gravel out of the mature tank (tied in a pantyhose if its a different color)
3. It could cause some problems, but if there are no major symptoms in that tank then it should be ok.
4. Yes there should be.

Hope this helps and convince your brother in law to do water changes

 

[n3ont3tra]

Mature filter media is like an extra sponge or something that he's been running in his tank, and it'll be full of beneficial bacteria. You would just put it in your filter, and that's all you'd have to do. If his fish are sick, chances are you will get whatever he has, but if his fish aren't sick, go for it. The only time you wouldn't want to use his media is if he had those annoying pest snails, because then you'd get them, and they are almost impossible to get rid of. Once you put the mature filter media in your filter, you can add fish RIGHT AWAY, and should, or else add some other source of ammonia. If you don't, the beneficial bacteria will start to die. I would say you have about 2 days before your bacteria start to die. Hope this helps, Leah

 

[TerraDreamer]

c. use some of the gravel out of the mature tank (tied in a pantyhose if its a different color)

I went to the store to buy pantyhose. I asked where it was kept, he said isle 9B, then said, "Sir, I'm nearly certain we don't carry it in your size."

 

[tnhowery]

LMAO

 

[TerraDreamer]

 

[lillykinloo]

Thanks for all of the information! So, just to make sure I understand:

1. Mature filter media is any type of media (a sponge, a filter, or even gravel) that has been "living" in an established and cycled tank.

2. I can buy my brother-in-law a new filter (which he probably needs anyways), and take his old filter & put it in my fishtank. Or, I can ask him for some of his gravel and put it in a pantyhose & put it in my fishtank.

3. Double check to make sure his fish look healthy & if so, it's ok to use his filter media (even if he hasn't changed his water or his filter)

4. Add fish to the tank immediately to keep the level of bacteria at a good level.

Am I correct?

I already have 5 Diamond Tetras in the tank right now. I've been doing a 20% water change every day (and was recently told that this may be a bit much as my ammonia levels haven't gotten any higher than 0.5 in a week and 1/2. My nitrate & nitrite levels are zero). So, I have a few more questions:

1. Should I add more fish once I get the mature filter media? Or, are the existing 5 diamond tetras enough?
2. Should I stop doing the daily water changes once I introduce the mature filter media?

Thanks again!

 

[newtotropical]

c. use some of the gravel out of the mature tank (tied in a pantyhose if its a different color)

I went to the store to buy pantyhose. I asked where it was kept, he said isle 9B, then said, "Sir, I'm nearly certain we don't carry it in your size."

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks for all of the information! So, just to make sure I understand:

1. Mature filter media is any type of media (a sponge, a filter, or even gravel) that has been "living" in an established and cycled tank.

2. I can buy my brother-in-law a new filter (which he probably needs anyways), and take his old filter & put it in my fishtank. Or, I can ask him for some of his gravel and put it in a pantyhose & put it in my fishtank.

3. Double check to make sure his fish look healthy & if so, it's ok to use his filter media (even if he hasn't changed his water or his filter)

4. Add fish to the tank immediately to keep the level of bacteria at a good level.

Am I correct?

I already have 5 Diamond Tetras in the tank right now. I've been doing a 20% water change every day (and was recently told that this may be a bit much as my ammonia levels haven't gotten any higher than 0.5 in a week and 1/2. My nitrate & nitrite levels are zero). So, I have a few more questions:

1. Should I add more fish once I get the mature filter media? Or, are the existing 5 diamond tetras enough?
2. Should I stop doing the daily water changes once I introduce the mature filter media?

Thanks again!

all the theory is sound, however i'd be dubious about using media from a poorly maintained tank, there may be no signs of disease right now but there could be all sorts in the water.

I would check out this thread and see if theres anyone local to you who can donate some media. Might be a little bit safer.

It depends a little on the size of the filter in his tank or the amount of media you get from it and how many fish it's used to supporting.

However 5 tetra's will keep at least enough bacteria to keep them happy going. You should continue to test your water and if you get results for ammonia or nitrite then do daily changes until it goes. however you'll find the readings should go away pretty quickly after adding more media.

After this you should add more fish slowly.

Also just incase your not aware when your transporting media you must keep it wet in tank water, do not wash it out. and make sure it's in a tank with fish within 12 hrs.

Thanks for all of the information! So, just to make sure I understand:

1. Mature filter media is any type of media (a sponge, a filter, or even gravel) that has been "living" in an established and cycled tank.

2. I can buy my brother-in-law a new filter (which he probably needs anyways), and take his old filter & put it in my fishtank. Or, I can ask him for some of his gravel and put it in a pantyhose & put it in my fishtank.

3. Double check to make sure his fish look healthy & if so, it's ok to use his filter media (even if he hasn't changed his water or his filter)

4. Add fish to the tank immediately to keep the level of bacteria at a good level.

Am I correct?

I already have 5 Diamond Tetras in the tank right now. I've been doing a 20% water change every day (and was recently told that this may be a bit much as my ammonia levels haven't gotten any higher than 0.5 in a week and 1/2. My nitrate & nitrite levels are zero). So, I have a few more questions:

1. Should I add more fish once I get the mature filter media? Or, are the existing 5 diamond tetras enough?
2. Should I stop doing the daily water changes once I introduce the mature filter media?

Thanks again!

all the theory is sound, however i'd be dubious about using media from a poorly maintained tank, there may be no signs of disease right now but there could be all sorts in the water.

I would check out this thread and see if theres anyone local to you who can donate some media. Might be a little bit safer.

It depends a little on the size of the filter in his tank or the amount of media you get from it and how many fish it's used to supporting.

However 5 tetra's will keep at least enough bacteria to keep them happy going. You should continue to test your water and if you get results for ammonia or nitrite then do daily changes until it goes. however you'll find the readings should go away pretty quickly after adding more media.

After this you should add more fish slowly.

Also just incase your not aware when your transporting media you must keep it wet in tank water, do not wash it out. and make sure it's in a tank with fish within 12 hrs.

 

[lillykinloo]

Ok, thanks everyone! I'm going over to my brother-in-law's house tonight to pick up his filter. I'll make sure that I carefully inspect the tank (in a polite and admiring way, of course ) before adding the filter to my tank. Thanks for the tip Miss Wiggle about transporting it in tank water- I didn't realize this and definitely would have just shoved it in a baggie. Unfortunately, no one within 2 hours of my area is on the donation list. However, I'll be adding myself to the list after I've had my tank up and running for awhile.

 

[lillykinloo]

Oh well....that just went over like a lead brick. My husband went over to my brother-in-law's house to pick up their old filter (and take them a new one). Basically, my brother-in-law's wife told my husband that she's had that filter for 10 years, and I need to stop following "the rules" so much and not worry about it. In any case, she decided not to give my husband the filter. So, I guess I'm back to the drawing board with no mature filter media. Maybe I can check out my lfs to see if they would be willing to let me buy some from them?

 

[TerraDreamer]

Well, it's certainly worth a shot. Otherwise, use the fishless method (recommended) provided you can find the correct ammonia, or, add three or four danios and do it the old fashioned way. It'll take 4-6 weeks, but the time passes by fast.

If you do manage to find one willing to sell you media, make certain their tanks are in good shape. If you see lots of dead fish or signs of disease, move on to the next lfs.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Oh well....that just went over like a lead brick. My husband went over to my brother-in-law's house to pick up their old filter (and take them a new one). Basically, my brother-in-law's wife told my husband that she's had that filter for 10 years, and I need to stop following "the rules" so much and not worry about it. In any case, she decided not to give my husband the filter. So, I guess I'm back to the drawing board with no mature filter media. Maybe I can check out my lfs to see if they would be willing to let me buy some from them?

sorry to hear that.

yeah it's worth checking with the lfs. some will do it, some won't.

 

[lillykinloo]

Thanks Miss Wiggle! I'm going to keep trying!

TerraDreamer-Thanks for the advice! One of our local fish stores had lots of dead fishies and snails all over the tank, so I won't be going there. The other fish store looks clean, and I didn't see any signs of health problems in the fish. So, I'm going to try them. Thanks again!