Tstone's Cycle Log

[cynic]

Thats about it, an established store may well have some they can let you have, it may cost. Depends on your relationship with the store.

Don't let them try and sell you the crud in a bottle that supposedly makes it all wonderfull though.

If you do get some media then you will put yourself along the cycle system massively, a few days for the bacteria to colonise, still dosing the ammonia. Certainly well into the nitrate phase.

You could have fish in the tank in days rather than weeks.

 

[Tstone]

Alright. What exactly is "media"

 

[cynic]

The material in the filter that the bacteria lives on. It may be sponge, ceramic rings, little black balls, bio mesh.

Basically an element in the filter the water passes through that could be colonised by bacteria.

 

[Tstone]

One lfs said they have nothing they can sell.. another had no idea what I was even talking about....... now what? ):

 

[cynic]

Ahh have to do it the long way then, was worth trying.

Look on the bright side, you now know to avoid the LFS that didn't know what you were talking about.

 

[Tstone]

Well how do I go about buying it?

 

[cynic]

You can't. Its the one drag to fish keeping and the reason we all guard our filters.

NOBODY in my house goes anywhere near mine, they wouldn't dare.

 

[Tstone]

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))):

Would this work? http/www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3077923&lmdn=Brand
It's for my filter..


orrrrrrr this.... http/www.petsolutions.com/C/Aquarium-Filter-Cartridges/I/Whisper-EX-Power-Filter-Media.aspx

 

[Tstone]

I found someone local to give me media... now is media like universal or what? Won't I need the correct "pad" or "sponge" for my filters?

 

[cynic]

Thats great news, the killer question is is it CYCLED media. I take it its a yes but check anyway.

When you get it make sure it is kept wet IN TANK WATER. If its a sponge cut it up into bits that will fit in your filter, if bio balls or ceramic just fit them in as you can.

Once this is done continue to dose the ammonia and relax in the warm glow of nitate levels.

 

[Tstone]

So should I put 19mL of ammonia after I get it?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Wait for the ammonia level in your tank to reach zero. If it is mature media, it will happen in just a few hours. As stated, make sure you keep it wet. Then, fit it into the filter however you can. As stated, cut it up if necessary. It doesn't matter. Leave the correct media in the filter for your set-up, but put the donated stuff into it.



Test a bit more often, so that your mature stuff stays fed. I'd test in 12 hours after adding the donated stuff and see if the ammonia is gone. Once it hits zero, dose the full 19mL. Then be sure to test every 12 hours after that. When it hits zero add more at the same time as the most recent addition.

 

[Tstone]

So wait til my ammonia is at 0 with what I have now? Then add the mature media? Or add the mature media as soon as I get it?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Add the mature media immediately but don't redose the ammonia until it hits zero.

 

[Tstone]

Get the mature media... get into my filter someway..... let it run and test it 12 hours later... report back here with results?

Is that my plan?

Also.. can I do a water change after I add the mature/donated media?


&& I just checked ammonia and nitrite real quick since i'm on my work break... Ammonia being at 2 and Nitrite still being at 0.....