Old Tank Safe To Use.

[LBK]

Hello I'm new to the forum.
Just getting back into it after a year or so. I've got a 90 gallon corner unit with external filter I think its a fluval 306.
The tanks been running with a few plecs in, a huge one and a little bristle nose now for best part of 8 months with the ex-wife whos not really been looking after it as it was my tank and she just didnt want it there, I've now got it back cleaned the filter foams (they were full of sludge) changed the water and gravel vac'd it out, took best part of 4HRS to get it all bacl to looking something like I used to have it.
Now the tanks been running with everything running heater, filter, lights the I've not got new foams or carbon for the filter as I dont have the cash at the moment.
Ok, so am I going about it right just cleaning the tank and filter as well as a big water change letting the tank cycle for a few weeks empty using the now cleaned foams, or should I wait and get new foams, carbon bags before getting fish back in the tank. 
I dont have any test kits left and with the tank being cleaned there still should be an amount of bactiria in there as its been running, but it was very dirty inside tank and filter.
 
Thanks for any advice I'm on a real budget now and will not be putting any fish in the tank until the end of feb.

 

[Ninjouzata]

How did you clean the filter media? It doesn't need to be replaced unless falling apart, and even then you want to replace a small amount at a time so as to not lose your bacteria.
Would dose ammonia to 3 ppm and check in 24 hours to make sure it's fully cycled. So you'll want to pick up some ammonia & a test kit again I think.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, you're definitely going to need to feed the bacteria with some sort of ammonia while the tank is fishless, or they'll die off.
 
You can get a bottle online for only a couple of quid. You will need an ammonia test kit as well though.

 

[LBK]

The old fish tank water, Always been told to do it that way, keep it clear of tap water. Yeah test kit is next but can’t get it until end of month. Just going to leave it until Wed's night.  change half the water. Week after clean filter out again. Just hope the levels are all steady as its a used tank and given the amount of time I'm running it fishless. Oh I do have a plant that’s been in there for a long time rooted into the gravel, It’s still alive but not sure if that’s any indication of tank health..

Can you point me in the right direction, the best kind to use, best place to get it.
Is it true the best fish to start off with are zebra's when I'm ready to start populating?

 

[fluttermoth]

Most people use Jeyes 'Kleen Off' ammonia solution. It's readily available on eBay, but can be hard to find in shops. We have a calculator (here; http/www.fishforums.net/aquarium-calculator.htm ) that will tell you how much ammonia you need to add (adjust the required PPM down to 3 though; I keep nagging admin to get it changed, but he hasn't got around to it!).
 
If you're really strapped for cash, add some fish food or a prawn (preferably in some sort of mesh bag) to the tank. That'll rot down and keep your bacteria going while you get sorted
 
If your tank is properly cycled, you can add whatever fish you like, apart from sensitive things like rams or neons that don't do well in new tanks, even if they're properly cycled. Zebra danios used to be suggested for fish-in cycles (because they are relatively tolerant to raised levels of ammonia /nitrite), but we don't condone doing fish-in cycles here. Even so-called 'hardy' fish, like zebras will still suffer long term health issues from those toxins.

 

[Ch4rlie]

This may help a little in seeing what to look out for in regards to bottles of ammonia, it is usually easier to order online. But a few stores do stock these.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/427161-ammonia-and-bacteria-starter-sources/

 

[LBK]

Right so been over the list off your link FH and looking at cost and simplicity would I be best just using this-Tetra Safe Start Live Bacteria?

 

[Ch4rlie]

Who is FH? If you are talking about me and the the title of Fish Herder thats just above my profile picture, thats just a title collected from the amount of post have made.
At the moment you are New Member, and so when you have made various milestone number of posts, your title will change. 

 
You can use Tetra Safe Start as starter bacteria but this brand can be a big hit and miss due to how the bottle is stored and handled by LFS as well as expiry date, the best choice of bottled bacteria is really Dr Tim's one and Only, although the number one choice is getting some mature media from a friend's or family member tank or from LFS as these becoming more available if you ask nicely and may pay a small amount for this, well worth it as this does greatly speeds up the cycle process.
 
However you will still need some ammonia to check the cycle progress and a decent test kit.
Something like API Freshwater Master Test Kit is fairly decent and good value for money if you do not already have a test kit.
 
Hope that helps a little.

 

[LBK]

Yeah sorry about that, I'm at work so I just try to make the post quick as poss so not to get caught, and yeah I just assumed it was your name.
 
I'll look into getting some one and only ordered up tonight.
 
Thanks for the advice much appreciated.