Tetratec Aps 150 Set Up

[Kevros]

Hi, i'm new to this forum and to setting up an aquarium so go easy on me, lol!

So i've got my filter and heater set up, and am now just waiting for a week or 2 to get the cycle going before i put fish in but i have recently bought a TetraTec APS 150 to provide extra aeration within the tank but i'm a little confused by the set up??!!

I've got the pump itself, some tubing, a check valve and a valve to control the amount of air going into the tank, now on the set up does anyone know whether i connect part of the tubing directly into the pump and then cut a bit off to add the check valve and then start the tubing running into the tank from the check valve?? As it doesn't look as if the complete check valve will slot into the tubing directly, which has confused me??

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and sorry if i haven't made what i've wrote completely understandable!

 

[KittyKat]

Please go read about fish-less cycling. If you properly fish-less cycle, we'll go easy on you sitting the tank with water in it for a couple of weeks does not do anything, at the end of your 2 weeks, the tank will be the same as it was the day you put the water in. To grow the good bacteria in the filter, you need to feed them with household ammonia.

The TetraTec APS 150 is an air pump, right? It won't help that much with aeration compared to aiming your filter in a way which disturbs the surface of the water most You should be attaching an airline to the air pump, then have a non-return valve attached to the airline (near the pump, not in the water - make sure you have it set up in the right direction), then more airline on the other side and finally an air stone on the end, in the water.

 

[Kevros]

Thanks for the reply, I have started fishless cycling by using fish food, I am in my 3rd day so will be taking ammonia etc readings from tomorrow onwards and see where i go from there.

That is how i thought the set up would go, i just wasn't sure as the diagrams in the instructions aren't the greatest. I have got my airstone and tubing with my check valve so i think i am ready to go with that side of things, just need my fishless cycling to bear fruit and i'll (hopefully) be onto a winner.
Maybe another stupid question but what way round does the check valve go? As both ends look the same, one end is clear and one is black if that helps, oh and i think its an elite check valve

http/shop.aquakoiaquatics.com/elite-non-return-check-valve-102-p.asp

 

[KittyKat]

Thanks for the reply, I have started fishless cycling by using fish food, I am in my 3rd day so will be taking ammonia etc readings from tomorrow onwards and see where i go from there.

You might want to switch to household ammonia because it's impossible to get a consistent dose using fish food and it will start rotting soon, so you will need to do a major clean before adding the fish. Fish food can also encourage algae because it releases nutrients into the water, which can be used by algae / plants.

That is how i thought the set up would go, i just wasn't sure as the diagrams in the instructions aren't the greatest. I have got my airstone and tubing with my check valve so i think i am ready to go with that side of things, just need my fishless cycling to bear fruit and i'll (hopefully) be onto a winner.

Can you get some media to seed the filter? It will speed up the process: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/150631-list-of-members-willing-to-donate-mature-filter-media-to-newbies/

Maybe another stupid question but what way round does the check valve go? As both ends look the same, one end is clear and one is black if that helps, oh and i think its an elite check valve

What do instructions say? They also usually have a small arrow on them. Worst case, you can try blowing through it, it will only work in one direction

 

[Mowbz]

Please go read about fish-less cycling. If you properly fish-less cycle, we'll go easy on you

Just spilled my coffee! Hilarious!

It seems like you have the right idea on things, but i have to agree with Kat (Mostly because i cant recall a time she's been wrong...) in that the ammonia method is a much easier method as the dose is exactly the same every time. (Providing you measure it right!)

In the UK, the best places to find it are at some larger Boots stores, Boots online, or if you dont want to wait for delivery, straight off the shelf at almost all Homebase stores.

EDIT: ....and

 

[Kevros]

Can you get some media to seed the filter? It will speed up the process: http/www.fishforum...dia-to-newbies/

I did soak my media into a friends tank water in order to speed up the process but i will also go out and buy some household ammonia to speed up the cycling etc.

I'll also check the check valve, like you say it only can only go one way, thanks for the advice guys!

 

[Mowbz]

Unfortunately soaking your media in i friends tank water wont do im afraid. Th bateria you need is 99.99% housed in the filter, or a bit in the substrate if they have an under gravel filter.

You would be better seeing if you can pinch some of his filter media. You should be able to take a third from an established tank with no imact on filtration for the donor tank.


Hope this helps...

 

[KittyKat]

Unfortunately soaking your media in i friends tank water wont do im afraid. Th bateria you need is 99.99% housed in the filter, or a bit in the substrate if they have an under gravel filter.

You would be better seeing if you can pinch some of his filter media. You should be able to take a third from an established tank with no imact on filtration for the donor tank.

+1

 

[Kevros]

Unfortunately soaking your media in i friends tank water wont do im afraid. Th bateria you need is 99.99% housed in the filter, or a bit in the substrate if they have an under gravel filter.


I dont have access to her media anymore as it was her sisters tank, and she was only looking after it over the weekend How long would it roughly take in order for the bacteria to build up in order to start the tank?

I also just looked on the boots website, my local one to work didn't have any household ammonia left in stock so i'll try one on my way home, and Homebase doesn't show it on their website??!

 

[KittyKat]

I dont have access to her media anymore as it was her sisters tank, and she was only looking after it over the weekend How long would it roughly take in order for the bacteria to build up in order to start the tank?

Why don't you ask her sister? For enough bacteria to stock fully (which is half the point of a fishless cycle), usually 4-8 weeks, for enough to stock partially, as little as 3-6 weeks.

 

[Kevros]

Why don't you ask her sister? For enough bacteria to stock fully (which is half the point of a fishless cycle), usually 4-8 weeks, for enough to stock partially, as little as 3-6 weeks.

It's difficult as her sister doesn't really live local to me, i'm going to my local aquatics store this weekend so i will ask them and see what they suggest the best way to go about things, i don't mind waiting 4-8 weeks for the proper cycle to commence, slowly, slowly, catchy monkey as they say! I also found some household ammonia at my local hardware store!

Actually saying that i could ask my friend to do it for me, how would i go about doing that with her media?? Especially if she has a different filter to mine??

 

[KittyKat]

It's difficult as her sister doesn't really live local to me, i'm going to my local aquatics store this weekend so i will ask them and see what they suggest the best way to go about things, i don't mind waiting 4-8 weeks for the proper cycle to commence, slowly, slowly, catchy monkey as they say!

They're quite likely to suggest that you buy some ridiculously expensive, but pretty much useless "bacteria in a bottle" or fish-in cycle.

I also found some household ammonia at my local hardware store!

Pure ammonia? No additives?

Actually saying that i could ask my friend to do it for me, how would i go about doing that with her media?? Especially if she has a different filter to mine??

Unless you filters are completely different, you should be able to get her to cut off some of the sponge from hers and you can then insert it into yours.

 

[Kevros]

I haven't had a chance to buy it yet, as i rang my local hardware store to see if he had any (its a nightmare to get hold of any), i presume it should be pure ammonia and have little or no additives (apart from water maybe??)

I think i'll have to run my tank for the 4 - 8 weeks as suggested, i think her sister may go nuts if i say about cutting up her sponges and popping them in my filter! I'll also give asking the aquatic shop a miss if they're going to suggest i but everything under the sun for a stupid amount! Cheers for the advice guys

 

[KittyKat]

I haven't had a chance to buy it yet, as i rang my local hardware store to see if he had any (its a nightmare to get hold of any), i presume it should be pure ammonia and have little or no additives (apart from water maybe??)

If she has a filter which takes lots of sponges, maybe offer to buy her a new one, if she gives you a whole sponge?

Yes, the ammonia should have only water and ammonia in it.. we generally assume that anything with fragrances is not suitable.

I think i'll have to run my tank for the 4 - 8 weeks as suggested, i think her sister may go nuts if i say about cutting up her sponges and popping them in my filter! I'll also give asking the aquatic shop a miss if they're going to suggest i but everything under the sun for a stupid amount! Cheers for the advice guys

Well, it's still worth asking, in case you come across an employee who knows what they're on about.. or just ask them to humour you, maybe even offer pay for a replacement sponge if they give you an old one.

 

[Kevros]

Right i managed to find a spare sponge for a filter so would i be ok to swap a whole new filter for one of her used ones? Or will that affect her tank?? I also came across some Filter Start, is this any good to start the bacteria off? Or is ammonia the best thing to use?