Speeding Up Cycling...

[fall-apart-dave]

I have two well established tanks, and a third one that I am about to use for breeding guppies and, once its well established, shrimp. One tank houses a pair of turtles, and the other a planted community tank that has been going for years and is so stable it requires very little attention (just a weekly partial water change and a good hoover of the gravel now and then keeps it tickaty-boo) Can anyone tell me how I can mature my new filter more quickly? I have heard about filter media or using aquarium water and mature substrate, but nothing specific. Would putting the new filter in one of the established tanks mature is more quickly? Can anyone offer me advice?

 

[jennybugs]

When I set up a new tank I use a filter sponge from an established tank to put in the new filter (or if it doesn't fit, cut it down to size or leave it in the new tank), then I get some substrate from the established tank, pop it in a stocking and put it in as well. I use water from my established tank as well, although the water doesn't harbour the good bacteria itself. I leave the established media in the tank for a good 4 weeks to make sure

I add Tetra Safestart which is a biological filter booster. Hope that helps a little, chicks

I did that for my 20L Arc tank and tested for zero ammonia and nitrite in the tank at all.

 

[Squid]

Agreed. Run the new filter along side the old filter for a few weeks. I did this when changing from an internal filter to an external filter. After a few weeks i removed the original internal one and the new external on was well up to the task... I experienced no mini-cycle. So really that is the equivalent of taking the newly cycled filter to the new tank.

Just remember, the new tank will be cycled but not mature. Guppies would be fine though, but more fragile critters would not be ideal.

Cheers
Squid

 

[fmervin]

Not sure if you've heard of a product called Soll bactinettes. I used this for my tank and it cycled within a couple of days. It comes in black capsules in an ammonia solution. You need to add the capsules to the filter after chucking away the ammonia, I think it is highly concentrated. Just make sure you refrigerate it if you plan to put it into the filter later. I found it really useful and I added 3 fish on the 2nd day and the ammonia was 0 throughout with trace nitrite which I believe takes time to come down anyway. Give it a try

P.S: Before anyone asks, I'm not a salesman just a happy customer

 

[fall-apart-dave]

I'll try sticking the new filter in the mature tank for a week or so then! Just seemed easier than pissing about with ammonia etc.

Guppies will be first, then later the shrimp once the tank is mature.

 

[jennybugs]

Leave your new filter in for as long as poss matey. Takes a while for sponges to seed up

 

[fall-apart-dave]

How long do ya think then? Its in there now, pumping away!

 

[jennybio]

I'd leave it in there for as long as you can stand the sight of it, up to 4+ weeks if you can The longer it's in the tank the better really.

 

[fall-apart-dave]

It's only going to be cleaning up after guppies! Its not going to be a heavily loaded filter. Its been in there for a couple of days now, so I'll leave it till after crimbo.

 

[Squid]

It's only going to be cleaning up after guppies! Its not going to be a heavily loaded filter. Its been in there for a couple of days now, so I'll leave it till after crimbo.

Better to be safe than sorry.. i left mine for a bout 4 weeks. I would say 2-3 weeks would be a minimum.

Squid

 

[fall-apart-dave]

After crimbo gives a good few weeks, maybe I'll wait for new year and the jan sales!

My tank is gonna be the cleanest most over filtered tank in the world until then! lol!

 

[jennybugs]

That's great! If you can keep it going til January it will be well seeded. Chuck some new gravel (if you're having it) in stockings or bags and let that seed up in your tank as well, unless you can spare some from your tank to put in the new one

 

[fall-apart-dave]

I'm actually gonna use sand in the breeding tank as I'll be breeding shrimp in there too eventually. I'm also gonna chuck out the gravel in the turtles and swap for sand so they can dig about! Dont suppose you can seed sand in the same way? I'm not too worried anyway, got bags of time there's no rush!

 

[jennybugs]

Not sure about seeding the sand in that way actually. I only have it in one tank and I used a seeded filter sponge in the tank along with matured water. No cycle occurred at all and it's now maturing away nicely

 

[Squid]

I wouldn't wory about seeding the sand.. I have just completely changed my substrate and plants with no mini-cycle. The filter will do all the hard work. Also, IMO sand will not hold the level of bacteria that gravel will due to the compactness (is that a word ) of it.

Squid