Mature Media Use?

[pkppv]

So i have lots of mature media from another tank that is set up with multiple filters. I have wool cartridges and ceramic donuts that are quite mature. I know mature media helps cycle a new filter faster, but how do i go about doing this?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Add the mature media as best you can into your new filter. The water should hit the old material first, then the new stuff. Eventually the new media is going to be colonized by the mature media's bacteria.

 

[pkppv]

how do i know when i dont need the old stuff in there anymore?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You won't know.


Just kidding. I would suggest that after about 2-3 months you can slowly start to remove bits and pieces each time you do a water change. Just remove a little at a time (no more than 25%) and the bacteria will populate the rest of the media. It's hard to be sure, but ultimately you don't have to worry. As long as you don't go nuts in how much or how quickly you remove the media, you shouldn't have any trouble.

 

[pkppv]

thanks eagle!!! i guess it wouldnt be a tragedy just to keep the mature media in there forever...haha

 

[pkppv]

so if i were to use an old floss/wool cartridge, it would be impossible to remove it in increments...soo....?

 

[pkppv]

dirty side touching new media? or dirty side closest to where the water enters the filter?

 

[pkppv]

andddd if i use lots of mature media, could i add fish right away? or no

 

[creeker]

andddd if i use lots of mature media, could i add fish right away? or no

Yes. If you don't the bacteria will die off.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yes, you can add roughly the same number as the tank from which the fish came. I would err on the lower side of that number.

Second, you can cut the media up. There's no sense in keeping it all in one big piece. Dirty side should face the new media as much as possible.

You won't be able to keep it forever, but it will last a much longer time than the manufacturer will claim. They want you to buy more of their product, so they will say things like "replace every 2-4 weeks". That's just ludicrous! Replace when it starts to completely disintegrate, and not much sooner than that.