Starting Up

[djl08]

Hi all, just a quick question.

Im about to start a new aquarium, a tropical freshwater set up. i was wondering if, instead of going through the long process of fishless cycling, i could use some filter media from my parents pond. They have had the pond for years. How would i go about using the filter media?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[jackatron]

Hi all, just a quick question.

Im about to start a new aquarium, a tropical freshwater set up. i was wondering if, instead of going through the long process of fishless cycling, i could use some filter media from my parents pond. They have had the pond for years. How would i go about using the filter media?

Thanks in advance,

Dan

first let me say hi and welcome to tropical fish forums

im new to the hobbie to and im not sure which is best but this is an idea. you could try the water from the bond fist, get it tested and if it's ok get some fish for the tank but if its not you will have to try the normal way


tell me if i was any help.

 

[Rooster]

Water contains NOTHING useful... so thats a waste of time, as for the media - I would shy away from it as there maybe unforeseen nasties in there... virii or unwanted bacteria etc, ponds a a LOT more hardy that tropical tanks.... best start on the right foot.
Find a local willing to donate media, or at least some filter "gunk" .... ask at the local shop, if he says NO or wants to charge you, find a better shop !

 

[djl08]

Water contains NOTHING useful... so thats a waste of time, as for the media - I would shy away from it as there maybe unforeseen nasties in there... virii or unwanted bacteria etc, ponds a a LOT more hardy that tropical tanks.... best start on the right foot.
Find a local willing to donate media, or at least some filter "gunk" .... ask at the local shop, if he says NO or wants to charge you, find a better shop !

i see what your saying, will scout around my local suppliers in the week. bound to be someone willing to help a newbie

 

[markandhisfish]

check out the pinned thread at the top of the new to the hobby section it has a list of members willing to donate mature media along with their locations

just checked the list there is a member in swansea which isnt a million miles from you .

 

[djl08]

check out the pinned thread at the top of the new to the hobby section it has a list of members willing to donate mature media along with their locations

just checked the list there is a member in swansea which isnt a million miles from you .

Yeh, ive tried messaging him but he seems to have his PM dissabled

 

[Reegz]

i'm from Cardiff, never donated media, so i dont know how to go about it

 

[fatheadminnow]

i'm from Cardiff, never donated media, so i dont know how to go about it

Put it in a bag with 1/3 water and 2/3 air, then through some fish food in there. Fish food will start to produce ammonia, which will help keep the beneficial bacteria alive.

Also, if you can get a prawn, through that in there. A prawn will produce more ammonia quicker.

-FHM

 

[Rooster]

Basically its as simple as taking some media from your filter and popping it in a bag of tank water.... think of it like transporting fish.
I wouldnt add any food... sounds like a recipe for disaster to me

As long as the media is back in a filter within a couple of hours, it will be fine.

Common courtesy dictates that the recipient provides new media, as a "swap" - unless the provider says otherwise

Oh, and up to about 30% of media... I wouldnt risk any more, or you may get a "mini cycle" in the doners tank.

 

[fishnoob88]

i'm from Cardiff, never donated media, so i dont know how to go about it

Put it in a bag with 1/3 water and 2/3 air, then through some fish food in there. Fish food will start to produce ammonia, which will help keep the beneficial bacteria alive.

Also, if you can get a prawn, through that in there. A prawn will produce more ammonia quicker.

-FHM

I'm a idiot, what is prawn? . also what kind of media is being taken from a established tank? i have a established tank and i am starting up a new one, how can i put some of my media from my established tank into my new one? i got 2 ac 110's on the established tank

 

[Bobtastic]

I'm a idiot, what is prawn? .

As in what you would have in a Prawn Cocktail, they can be used to feed fish that need more protien in their diet.

Would filter "gunk" be an easier way of making a donation? That way you dont have to give away part of you filter setup (sponge or whatever). If you got "gunk" how would u use it? Same question for filter media from a setup that is different to ur current setup?

 

[fatheadminnow]

QUOTE (fishnoob88 @ Apr 27 2009, 09:52 AM) *
I'm a idiot, what is prawn? crazy.gif .


As in what you would have in a Prawn Cocktail, they can be used to feed fish that need more protien in their diet.

Would filter "gunk" be an easier way of making a donation? That way you dont have to give away part of you filter setup (sponge or whatever). If you got "gunk" how would u use it? Same question for filter media from a setup that is different to ur current setup?

Yes, filter gunk can be used as mature filer media.

QUOTE (fatheadminnow @ Apr 26 2009, 06:40 PM) *
QUOTE (Reegz @ Apr 26 2009, 04:46 PM) *
i'm from Cardiff, never donated media, so i dont know how to go about it

Put it in a bag with 1/3 water and 2/3 air, then through some fish food in there. Fish food will start to produce ammonia, which will help keep the beneficial bacteria alive.

Also, if you can get a prawn, through that in there. A prawn will produce more ammonia quicker.

-FHM

I'm a idiot, what is prawn? crazy.gif . also what kind of media is being taken from a established tank? i have a established tank and i am starting up a new one, how can i put some of my media from my established tank into my new one? i got 2 ac 110's on the established tank

Aquaclear filters are really good filters.

I would cut like half of the white foam sponge pad, and place that in your new filter.

You can also transfer some Bio-max over to the new filter as well.

-FHM

 

[waterdrop]

I'd like to donate some opinions

Mature Media pecking order:

1) BEST - Actual pieces of sponge or loose media
2) BigStepDownFrom#1 - Gunk from filter sponges etc.
3) BigStepDownFrom#2 - Gravel from tank substrate
4) Useless - Water from donor tank (except as media transport)

(Reason: ~98% of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira probably are clinging tightly to the hard surfaces of the filter media)

Another tip:
The donor should not donate more than 1/3 of the biomedia from the filter. Sponges can be cut with scissors, with a piece of new sponge (already bought if a special shape is needed) cut and fit in with some firmness. Loose media like ceramic rings, ceramic gravel, bioballs etc. can just be divided by volume.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[K-Holed]

Prawn

 

[waterdrop]