Tankless Fishless Cycling

[drobbyb]

What do you guys think, is it possible to cycle filter media in a 5 gallon bucket using standard fishless cycling methods?

 

[erk628]

Do you plan on having the media in the filter and running? If so I don't see why not it would be no different then in a tank.

 

[drobbyb]

Yeah, I was thinking that it would be the same as a tank. I have a small filter that has room enough for a filter sponge that fits the filter for the new 30 gallon tank, and a large air driven sponge filter that I plan on cutting up and jump starting my 110 gallon (well, I get the tank, stand, glass tops, and a HUGE undergravel filter new in package for free, I just gotta talk the wife into letting me bring it home )

 

[Warehouse]

There is no reason why it wouldn't work.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Robby, I did some bucket fishless cycling and didn't notice any problems other than thinking at the time that the lips of a lot of those plastic containers might make it hard to hang some types of aquarium equipment. I was doing it out in a shed.

Is this your subtle way of letting us know you're getting back into the big tank game, lol? I hope this means more pictures of your beautiful rainbows and bozzzz! I might have to consider a side trip next time I head in the charleston direction .

WD

 

[Gvilleguy]

WD - Simpsonville is right on the way to Easley....you might have to make two stops!! Robby - hope the cycling goes well. I have a couple swimmers for it when you are ready!

 

[Joshwainwright]

This is a great idea, why has nobody ever thought of it before?

 

[doresy]

When you have finished your tank-less cycle fancy trying to flog my box full of phone-less cords?

 

[drobbyb]

Actually Gvilleguy, if you wouldn't mind, can you donate a small piece of media to speed things along?

It's been running since since Monday, and so far my tests are to be expected:

Ammonia 5.0ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
pH 8.4
Temp 80F
GH >1
KH >1

 

[Gvilleguy]

You got it - I'll pick up a spare sponge for my Fluval this weekend and then i can cut off a bit of the existing one for you.

 

[drobbyb]

Awesome!

 

[drobbyb]

Ok, 1 week in.

Everything is still nominal:

Temp: 80-82 F
Ammonia: 4 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
pH: 8.2

native KH and GH are both >1 but I have added sodium bicarbonate to put my pH in the optimal range.

 

[waterdrop]

lucky you, some actual mineral molecules, lol

(gotta keep coming back here because dorsey's post creates the best laugh)

 

[drobbyb]

Dorsey does have a great sense of humor

 

[drobbyb]

Met up with Gvilleguy this afternoon so he could donate some media to my cycle process . Thanks a lot