Mature Media From Members

[LionessN3cubs]

Okay so Im realizing that I need to get ahold of mature media from somewhere. Unfortunately I haven't been a member long enough to really know anyone on here and while I think its awesome that some are nice enough to agree to help newbies out....Im antsy about giving out my home addy to total strangers because of having the kids' safety to consider. I've already asked almost every one of the local fish stores and the only thing they've been willing to part with is some gravel which isn't very helpful. So Im wondering if anyone else has some other ideas on how to get ahold of mature media? Im in the usa grand state of PA and fresh out of ideas!

 

[ImperfectFaerie]

What about meeting the member someplace other than your home? You have to use someone more or less local anyhow, as shipping it will generally take too long and kill the good bacteria.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

What about meeting the member someplace other than your home? You have to use someone more or less local anyhow, as shipping it will generally take too long and kill the good bacteria.

hadn't really thought about that. That pretty rules out getting the media from anyone here since there is no one listed that is close to me. Guess I'll try calling one of the smaller pet stores around and see if they have something to share. Thanks!

 

[Tolak]

I've shipped media from Chicago to as far as Texas if I'm not mistaken. There are ways of shipping it so it does have a food source, spring & fall are the best times to ship media. I have also received cycled sponge filters to quar some expensive potential breeders. All situations have worked out well.

If you have a business address it could be shipped to, or a shipping center for pickup it can be shipped that way. UPS has pickup centers, this way your home address is unknown to anyone shipping.

I do have to commend you on your sense of responsibility & personal safety regarding your family, more folks should think that way.

 

[Mikaila31]

I agree with above, you can always look for someone that lives close to you and ask them. I found a aquabid seller that lives 20min away from me and we've met a couple times cuz that way I save on shipping ^.^ IMO you have nothing to worry about on this board cuz why would a stalker hang out on a fish forum . Its really all about using common sense their are boards I would never give any of my personal info out on and even some were you get baned for giving out personal info .

 

[Tolak]

http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm

I used these for eight fish that cost me nearly $300. I send a good sum of money towards Steve at Angels Plus, been dealing with him for years.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

I agree with above, you can always look for someone that lives close to you and ask them. I found a aquabid seller that lives 20min away from me and we've met a couple times cuz that way I save on shipping ^.^ IMO you have nothing to worry about on this board cuz why would a stalker hang out on a fish forum . Its really all about using common sense their are boards I would never give any of my personal info out on and even some were you get baned for giving out personal info .

sounds crazy to worry about it on a fish forum I know...unfortunately the story in the paper about the lady meeting a dog breeder she met on a message board getting sliced and diced popped into my mind when I looked at my 3 cubs and thought about giving my addy out.

 

[Tolak]

I heard about that a while back, it changed the way many private breeders of dogs do business. Breeding fish I do run into dog breeders, this made many of them very nervous.

Perhaps you have a neighbor or friend who wouldn't mind having the media shipped to them. My wife has some single friends that I would not hesitate to do this for. Having a 27 y.o. daughter I have too much experience shagging away creeps and other losers.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

[URL="http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm"]http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm[/URL]

I used these for eight fish that cost me nearly $300. I send a good sum of money towards Steve at Angels Plus, been dealing with him for years.

I followed your link He does indeed sell the sponges already stocked with bacteria I need. Im curious about something tho. Being a newbie who hasnt even mastered a cycle yet, I've not even REMOTELY educated myself on filters. I bought an aquarium kit and set that up..and thats all I've learned about them. If I were to buy the activated sponge..would I have to buy the filter system they go to or could I just buy it and set it in my tank to hang out and hopefully colonize the filter I already have? it'd be worth the 15 bucks or so with the shipping to me.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

I heard about that a while back, it changed the way many private breeders of dogs do business. Breeding fish I do run into dog breeders, this made many of them very nervous.

Perhaps you have a neighbor or friend who wouldn't mind having the media shipped to them. My wife has some single friends that I would not hesitate to do this for. Having a 27 y.o. daughter I have too much experience shagging away creeps and other losers.

Thank you for understanding where Im coming from. I didnt want to come off snobbish about it, but well...Im a paranoid mom what can I say? My sister might let me do this since she does buy off Ebay quite a bit and such. Thats a good suggestion..thanks

 

[Tolak]

Those sponge filters run off of an air pump, all you would need to run one is a small pump and some air line. You could run this along with your regular filter for a few weeks, then slowly cut the air to the sponge after several days. You would then have a cycled tank. I used two of them for eight angels in a 55, they are still running a year later.

You don't come off snobbish at all IMO, you are doing what a parent feels is right to keep her family safe. I'm sure some of the things I or others do or have done to keep their family safe may come off as extreme to others. There are too many strange & dangerous people out there to risk slipping up.

 

[Amunet]

Well, if you don't want to get mature media sent to you, how about trying to find some Bio-Spira at a LFS?

 

[Million]

Well, if you don't want to get mature media sent to you, how about trying to find some Bio-Spira at a LFS?

I've heard you can just squeeze out mature sponges (say from an LFS) and retain the mucky water full of bacteria to add - maybe they'd let you do that? Gravel also is quite a good source, apparently. You can put it in an old pair of tights and let it sit in the tank while you cycle

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you don't come across as snoobish at all don't worry. i've met various people from here to re-home fish and give out media. but no one comes to my house unless my other half is in (he's 6'4 and 18 stone so big enough to handle most people if anything nasty did happen so it makes me feel safe). completley respect your need to protect your family.

i'd advise you to try and find a stockist for either bio spira or bactinettes. they do the job of mature media in that they kick start your cycle. lots of products claim to do this, only the two i mentioned actually do it. so look out for one of those.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

[URL="http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm"]http/www.angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm[/URL]

I used these for eight fish that cost me nearly $300. I send a good sum of money towards Steve at Angels Plus, been dealing with him for years.

Just curious about something. I emailed Steve from the link you sent me and asked how he ships the meda so the bacteria doesnt die. He said just ships them in water so they stay wet but that the bacteria doesnt die. That it goes dormant and then reactivates in the presence of ammonia. This goes against everything I've read on here! I dont mind paying the 15 bucks for the filter media but I wanted to ask opinions on what this gentleman said about the bacteria not dying if its being shipped without ammonia and just in some water. He's in NY and Im in PA ...it'll take probably 3-5 days for the media to get to me. Input please!