View Full Version : DIY to keep bacteria alive
jeninok
03-22-2010, 8:01 PM
My Penguin filter crapped out today and I have to order a new impeller for it since there isn't one anyone in town that has them in stock.
But I also just added 8 new fish to the tank so it is really bad timing.
I put my small filter for a ten gallon on there with some of the media but it only holds about 1/4 of what I had in there.
What can I DIY to help keep the bacteria alive on my filter media until the new impeller gets here?
I have about 5 air pumps, and plenty of tubing if that helps.
sed03f
03-22-2010, 8:09 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6LLxYbUe6U
I just reuse the filter media, and dont use carbon, you can make one out of a big one too
jeninok
03-22-2010, 9:06 PM
Thanks, I am working on it right now!
fishfood420
03-22-2010, 9:14 PM
I would keep your filter media in your tank and just run the smaller filter you have. Some filtration is better than none.
Keep your bacteria alive by keeping them in the water they developed in.
jeninok
03-22-2010, 9:36 PM
I also have a fluval 405 running on this tank, but it has been through so many changes in the last couple of weeks, and then with all the new fish added this week I was a little bit panicked!
what is the best way to put the media in the tank, a mesh bag?
Star_Rider
03-23-2010, 9:28 AM
I also have a fluval 405 running on this tank, but it has been through so many changes in the last couple of weeks, and then with all the new fish added this week I was a little bit panicked!
what is the best way to put the media in the tank, a mesh bag?
a mesh bag will work fine as will any porous material(nylon/pantyhose)
Mesh bag is good.
If you can put it in front of a filter outlet, or hang it above an airstone, so you get some water flowing around and through it that will both keep the bacteria alive, and make it work like a simple sponge filter to help out the tank system.
Ian