Seeding A New Tank

[Jimbo1984]

Hi all,

I've recently set up a new tank and was wondering what your opinions are on seeding it. The tank's been running for almost a week now.

I currently have the main filter sponge inside the filter in my Rio 125, where it has been for the past few days. How long do you think this needs to be in there to get a healthy amount of bacteria living in it?

Also, is adding this sponge back into the new tank enough to handle a fish?

Obviously there needs to be very little crossover time after buying the fish to prevent bacteria dying off.

What do you think?

 

[KittyKat]

Seeding new sponge in a running filter takes about 4 weeks, seeding by running filters in parallel takes more like 6 weeks. If you can, the easiest thing to do is take a Jewel sponge and use it in the new filter.. you can add fish right away (you really should add them on the same day) but be careful with water quality as you normally would. I prefer to stock slowly if I do that.

 

[Athena]

Not sure how a Juwel sponge is going to add mature media to the filter without it being cycled first.

Jimbo, another way of seeding a new tank is to actually cut a portion of your old mature media sponge and put it into the new filter (cut a corresponding amount off the new sponge so it all fits in or squash it down). You can then add a fish or two so that those good bacteria continue to multiply. Stock your tank gradually, giving at least 2-3 weeks between each new additions and check your water stats weekly to ensure the bacteria are keeping up with the bioload.

Athena

 

[KittyKat]

Not sure how a Juwel sponge is going to add mature media to the filter without it being cycled first.

The Jewel sponges being the old mature media in the established Jewel filter...

 

[Athena]

Not sure how a Juwel sponge is going to add mature media to the filter without it being cycled first.

The Jewel sponges being the old mature media in the established Jewel filter...

LOL, sorry, I thought you meant a NEW Jewel sponge! Doh! Silly me...

 

[KittyKat]

That would be silly of me if I did that! I thought I was going crazy/wasn't awake yet for a few second there..

 

[Athena]

That would be silly of me if I did that! I thought I was going crazy/wasn't awake yet for a few second there..

No...it's me who's not fully awake, Kat LOL

Tut tut - well it IS Friday and I'm always a bit fluffy-brained on a Friday...