Using Established Media To Kick Start Cycle

[Marto666]

Just bought a second tank that uses an internal filter (Fluvial plus 3 - manual http/www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/fluvalplus.pdf). I have an external filter in my ‘show tank’ and was wondering if it was possible to use any of the media to kick start the new one.

The external filter contains sponges and floss but I can’t see how this could fit into the internal. Will I have to start from scratch?

Cheers

 

[sausagewinkle]

Don't no if this will help, but i upgraded my tank on Saturday from a aquaone ar850 to a ar980, I previously had a external filter on the ar850 but wanted to use the aquaone trickle filter that is built into the new tank.
After lots of questions on here I just transferred all my media to the new filter, It didn't fit so I just cut it to size and any little spare bits just put them in spare spaces within the filter. I have been testing my water twice a day to keep a eye on it and its perfect.

This has worked for me but I'd see what other people say, they might not recommend this

Good luck

 

[Marto666]

Thanks

That seems a very good idea, I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. I was thinking of just taking some of the floss out of the external and putting it into the internal which is kind of similar to what you’ve done.

Cheers

 

[Tizer]

Check the tiger link in my sig, i did it in a slightly different way. You can use a sponge from your current filter and just cut it to fit if needs be.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks Tizer

Your article is a very interesting read, I shall defo be using it as a resource over the next couple of weeks

I was thinking of adding gravel substrate to the new tank as my other tank is sand but do you think I may regret not choosing sand a few months down the line?

 

[Marto666]

Tizer

Just been reading 'My 90 Litre Tiger Tank - Fish in Cycle' again.

What filter did your 90l tank come with (Fluvial Plus 3)?

Did you add the ceramics to just one of the sponges?

Do you think I could add filter floss instead as it may habour more of the bacteria? i.e - I could just stuff some of the floss in with the sponge?

Cheers

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thanks Tizer

Your article is a very interesting read, I shall defo be using it as a resource over the next couple of weeks

I was thinking of adding gravel substrate to the new tank as my other tank is sand but do you think I may regret not choosing sand a few months down the line?

As someone who just switched from gravel to sand, I do think you'll regret using gravel. Once I saw all the disgusting glop that was left behind under the gravel,

I'll never use it again.

Yes, the lighter colored sand does show stuff more, so if you're interested in a very clean looking tank you can use a more natural colored brown sand. I had that in a previous tank and you couldn't see anything on it unless you looked at it directly from the side.

 

[Marto666]

Thanks This Old Spouse

I think I will go down the sand route, the only thing that put me off was the initial cleaning but sounds like its worth it.

Will prob go for the darker type too.

 

[This Old Spouse]

In our latest switch we ended up using sandblasting sand, which is ridiculously clean. One quick rinse and it was in the tanks! But there you have ivory colored sand and it tends to show all the poo (which of course is easily removed with a quick vac).

Good luck ... post pics when you're all set up!

 

[Marto666]

In our latest switch we ended up using sandblasting sand, which is ridiculously clean. One quick rinse and it was in the tanks! But there you have ivory colored sand and it tends to show all the poo (which of course is easily removed with a quick vac).

Good luck ... post pics when you're all set up!

Thank-you, I will do

 

[Tizer]

Its a fluval 2+ mate, and no i only added the ceramics to the center sponge where i cut it away as i wanted the sponges either side to actually do their job and trap the dirt.

I've since replaced the middle with a full sponge and shoved the cermaics back into the external filter. Good little filter the 2+.

You dont have to use ceramics, sponges / floss will do, basically anything that is likely to contain the bacteria you need. Remember its just a bump start to a cycle. Good luck!

 

[Marto666]

Cheers Tizer

Sounds like our filters are very similar then. Im going to give it a bash, I will let you know how I get on