Using Mature Filter Media

[contrarymary]

hiya, I am new here--I am researching how to set up a fishtank. At the moment we have 3 comets in a tank which I now realise is WAAAAY too small for them. My mum gave the baby fish to my children, from her pond, maybe 18 months ago.

So, after replies to myinitial post, I am getting a tank which is smaller than advised- I just cant accomodate a 4 foot tank- fish will have to go back to pond when they get to that size. the tanks I am looking at are aound 1/2 and 3 foot long, 14 inch deep and 0inch tall.

Ive been reading on here about cycling and using mature filter media. I was thinking I could use the media from my existing filter but Im not sure how to 'transfer it' - do you scrape out the gunk and smear t over the sponge in the new filter??? or do you take the whole sponge and shove it in the new filter? Im assumming my sponges will be different sizes/ shapes as will be different manufacturer and bigger capacity this time. Could I also use some of the gravel from old tank and put that in new tank? would that conatin good bacteria?

thanks in anticipation

2 and 1/2 to 3 foot not 1/2 to 3 foot

 

[minnnt]

Use the whole sponge from the old filter in the new filter. You can also run both filters in one tank for a few months which should allow the new one to catch up then remove the old one.

 

[SchottayB]

0 inch tall?

Take a third of the sponges from in the filter and put it in the new one. Remember to replace any you take away with new spange though.

 

[minnnt]

No decent bacteria will be in the gravel, just gunk, so if transfering make sure you rinse it very well.

0 inch tall?

Take a third of the sponges from in the filter and put it in the new one. Remember to replace any you take away with new spange though.

Spange?

May aswell use all the old filter media if dismantling the old tank as it will just be wasted.

 

[fluttermoth]

Well...comet goldfish are really not suitable as tank fish; they do need to be in a pond; sooner rather than later as the weather will get too cold to put them out soon and you do run the risk of them becoming stunted.

Yes, you do need to put the whole of your old sponge in the new filter; you can cut it up if you need to; you don't want to cram it in so tightly that it restricts the water flow.

If you upgrade to a three foot tank, that would be suitable for a couple of 'fancy' goldies (that's the ones that have a fat body and a double tail), or you could add a heater and have some tropical fish which are much easier (imo) than goldfish.

 

[contrarymary]

thanks all for your replies- it will be a while before we can transport them back to pond- will have to wait until next spring/ summer at least but good idea and then get some smaller fish! i had no idea they got so big - must admit to not paying much attention to fish in mums pond!

so once I have put the old sponge in the new filter- are we good to go? no need to add ammonia etc etc? because the sponges will have all the bacteria necessary for the fish that we have?

lol-0inches! - 20"

 

[minnnt]

Should be fine mary. Make sure the new water is dechlorinated first though before you add the filter otherwise it will take a severe battering and kill most of it off.