Using Old Gravel Or Media To Help Cycle A New Tank

[tmack]

If I take some of the gravel or filter media from an established tank to add to another tank, to help seed the system in the new tank with beneficial bacteria, does anyone know how soon the transfer has to be done? Would a couple of hours be too long to expect the aerobic bacteria to stay alive? I know the faster the better, but I can't get from my tank to the other tank two in less than 2 hours.

Best way to transport - does it have to remain submersed in water or just kept wet? I'm thinking the aerobic bacteria may transport better just kept wet, rather than submersed in water, as it won't be oxygenated if submersed, but some exposure to air (without drying out) might keep it alive? Thanks.

 

[demonmagus]

hmmm, without water I heard that bacteria start dying after 20 minutes, can't you just ask your LFS or anyone else to give you a little bit of media?

 

[tmack]

hmmm, without water I heard that bacteria start dying after 20 minutes, can't you just ask your LFS or anyone else to give you a little bit of media?

Thanks for the 20 minute estimate. I have the media to transport - it's from my own tank. I'm just not sure it will survive a 2 hour trip with it. I think keeping it submerged would cut off oxygen, but if I drain it & put in in a bag and cover it with a wet towel maybe it would get the O2 it needs to stay alive. Might even pack it in a small cooler with some ice wrapped in another towel to avoid freezing it. The only other option would seem to pack it in a small container of tank water with a battery powered air pump & air stone.

 

[bogusmove]

hmmm, without water I heard that bacteria start dying after 20 minutes, can't you just ask your LFS or anyone else to give you a little bit of media?

Thanks for the 20 minute estimate. I have the media to transport - it's from my own tank. I'm just not sure it will survive a 2 hour trip with it. I think keeping it submerged would cut off oxygen, but if I drain it & put in in a bag and cover it with a wet towel maybe it would get the O2 it needs to stay alive. Might even pack it in a small cooler with some ice wrapped in another towel to avoid freezing it. The only other option would seem to pack it in a small container of tank water with a battery powered air pump & air stone.

The bacteria won't withstand drying. If your talking "without water" I'd say you shouldn't count on 1 minute, or 1 second!

I am rather dubious about the draining, cooling and wet towels method I'm afraid. It's certainly not something I would try myself. I'm not even sure how low a temperature the bacterias will stand either. You don't necessarily have to freeze them to kill them remember.

Personally I would suggest you definitely transport the gravel or media with some water from the aquarium it came from, ideally sucked off the bottom, where the rubbish will mostly be, and my feeling is that 2 hours would probably be ok, but I have to admit I'm not certain. If you have a battery powered air pump then I think you will certainly be fine as this will cause circulation of tiny amounts of waste in the water, as well as ensuring a basic oxygenation level, thus they get food and oxygen, although all thus may not be the least bit necessary as a bit of slopping around may stir the nutrients and oxygen more than enough for a 2 hour journey.

 

[NoRp]

just take th gravle with tank water and the pump idea and run with it

keep it all totaly submerged and your good to go

 

[celaeno]

get some pure ammonia and add it to the submerged travel in dechlorinated water. add just enough ammonia for the bacteria to handle.

 

[tmack]

Thanks for the ideas & comments. Sounds like gravel in a bucket with the air pump and maybe a drop or two of ammonia to feed them is the way to proceed.