Very Quick Question

[JeffJustice]

I wish to setup a quar. tank for my new arrivals which I won't be getting for around a month.

I have a fresh tank and filter for the q tank and I was wondering if I can get it going now, using a mixture of tank water from my established community tank and dropping a few flakes. I can also chuck a bit of wood from the comm. tank into the q tank. I'd imagine in a month, the nitrogen cycle would have taken place?!

I don't want to use filter medium from my established tank. Its external and would be alot of hassle TBH.

Cheers!

 

[lyotim88]

used tank water wouldnt do much of nething. to jumpstart the tank you'd need the filter media as that is where the beneficial bacteria thrives. If you have so much time y not check the pinned thread on fishless cycling?

 

[JustKia]

Why not stick a bit of extras filter media (sponge) in your existing (presumably cycled?) filter.
Then when you need your QT tank simply set it up with fresh dechlored tap water, get it up to temp (various methods), then put the (by now cycled) media from your main filter into the filter for your QT tank and hey presto you have cloned your filter ready to acclimatise your new purchases.
Replace the bit of media in your community filter with some new sponge, then should you need your QT tank again (or to hospitalise a fish you have a spare piece of cycled media in you main filter ready and waiting to go.

 

[JeffJustice]

used tank water wouldnt do much of nething. to jumpstart the tank you'd need the filter media as that is where the beneficial bacteria thrives. If you have so much time y not check the pinned thread on fishless cycling?

Thanks for the reply.

I had read through that post but it involves getting my hands on some ammonnia. I don't really want to spend money on a bottle of ammonia if I've got loads of it in the tank downstairs. (I am a bit of a cheap skate).

If I took the medium from my new filter and just left it to sit in my community tank, how long do you think it would tank for the bacteria to colonise on it? (its about 3" x 1" x .5" foam)

Thanks for the replies!

I had read through the fishless cycle thread but it involves getting my hands on some ammonnia. I don't really want to spend money on a bottle of ammonia if I've got loads of it in the tank downstairs. (I am a bit of a cheap skate).

I should have a bit of space in the canister to drop some medium in there. I'll give that a go.

Cheers gang!

 

[rabbut]

Ages, it needs to be in the filter, getting good flow, to get a good colony of filter bacteria in it. You could run the new filter in the existing tank though...

 

[lyotim88]

Ammonia is actually very cheap. I think i got a half gallon of it for 99 cents from walmart. Justkia had an excellent idea though so y not just try that

 

[waterdrop]

My feeling is rabbut's suggestion would be your best bet for getting things started.

~~waterdrop~~