Mature Media (Starting Over)

[abih2005]

Hi - last time I posted on here about my idiot boyf overdosing my tank I received lots of info about filters. I've decided to start a new fishless cycle, using a Fluval U1 - having read looooadds on here about mature media and how 'decent' places will let you have some water/media/gravel to help kick start the process I would like to announce that this is clearly an urban myth. I live in Preston and have spent most of the morning calling several fish shops, none were willing to spare any tank water or media and they ALL tried to sell me various concoctions from bottles. I'm losing the will to live!!!

Any suggestions or advice? The tank is completely clean and ready to go.

 

[Ashley1991]

ask if anyone here is from aorund preston and see if they will give you some

im not sorry

ash

 

[abih2005]

Went to fish shop outside of Preston, they were really helpful - I bought a Fluval U1 and also a product called Seachem Stability which apparently is used for 7 days in order to bring about a complete cycling process. Gonna use that and see what happens!

 

[Craig89]

Ive heard about that Stability stuff, Does it really work as im moving some mature media over from my 125l tank to my new 250l wonder if it would give it an extra kick

 

[abih2005]

I've no idea, the shop owner assured me that all his new tanks (and he had at least 30) were treated and cycled with the stuff.

I'm hoping some of the experts on here can help me?...

 

[Ashley1991]

no these products will not cycle your tank in 7 days there is no way the bacteria can survive in a bottle with no oxygen input and with how long it sits on the shelf it is not possible

im no expert but this is what i read everywhere

ash

edit: local fish shops are a buisness they will tell you anything to sell you something (i admit there are people who actually care and will tell the truth but these are far and few between)

 

[abih2005]

Hi (again) - Tested my water today, high ammonia and nitrites, clearly the substrate and bogwood/mopani is still soaked with ammonia despite having been repeatedly rinsed!! I accept the info about stability but there are a fair a few positive reviews online so I figure I'll use it alongside cycling process, there's definitely live bacteria as there is a bacterial bloom within the water.

Meh - any pointers on getting this process sped up - what's this about pH and Bicarb of Soda???

 

[FishyWishie]

Bicarb of soda can be used to raise your PH back up if it starts to crash/lower as long as your PH is around the 7.6 - 8 mark theres no need to add any as far as im aware.

 

[ShinLi]

There's really no way to speed up the process. People make you believe it's possible if you throw all sorts of stuff from bottles in your aquarium. But the best way is patience and waiting about 3 weeks for most bacteria colonies to grow in your filter and aquarium water. You can help it a bit of course by using cycled aquarium water and filter media, but you still have to take the 3 weeks into account. You could also add a little fish food (flakes) to the water, sort of food for the bacteria so the have something to 'eat'. And then test your water before putting new fish in. Also using chemical things to get your water started up or try and lower/raise ph/kh/gh etc. is not a good idea. Also be careful if you get filter media/water from a fish store, it might be possible you can get diseases with that as well.

Be patient and good luck!

 

[OldMan47]

There is a way you can speed your cycle if you still have the nasty filter from the fish food overdose. The media in that filter will still have some live bacteria of the right type and that can be used to give your new filter a seeding.

 

[abih2005]

Ive been testing the water for the last three days, nitrites have been off the chart (so clearly some bacteria have survived!) and ammonia is 4ppm and slowly dropping. I was sceptical re filter as I explained the overdose pushed the ammonia levels so high as to register as black when tested. Either way I added the filter to the water and squeezed it out, will be interesting to see what happens. I've an offer of mature media from this forum which is good - just need to sort out pickup!

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds like you have gotten a good start from yourself Abih2005.

 

[abih2005]

Update:

4ppm of ammonia is processing in 12 hours now since the addition of mature media and water supplied by a generous member of the board (you know who you are!)

Am re-adding each time the level falls to 1ppm, nitrites are consistently off the chart high.

Need to fish for a decent fish book so I can work out my stocking (again!)

 

[waterdrop]

Sounds like your mature media has jumpstarted you into the nitrite spike stage! That's good. Good luck with your progress!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[abih2005]

Tested today, 2ppm after 24 hours?? My nitrites were off the scale even before the addition of MM. Ammonia has normally dropped back quicker than this?