fast cycling.. using an existing pond to startup a tank.

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primarycolorman

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Jul 10, 2004
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tennessee
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I promise, this should be my last question for awhile.


Am setting up a cold water aquarium. Right outside I have an existing cold water pond.. paramters all test well (no testable levels of any form of nitrogen, or ammonia. pH at 7.1) and is almost completely clear to the bottom (its about 3' deep).


Its slightly overfilled right now. If I steal 10-15 gallons to help startup a 30-40 gallon tank, steal some of the gunk from the pond filter for the tank.. and otherwise follow normal procedure any idea how long it'll take to cycle?

I don't really like the idea of stealing the full volume from the pond, as it is in full sun and the tank will have only indirect exposure.. slightly concerned that will cause a change in bacteria mix, but have them last long enough to give a good reading.
 
just filter squeezings

Forget about the water, the filter junk is enough.
 
You could but I would advise against it. You could end up with a lot of parasites and various other animals that you may not want in your tank. There is too much that could go wrong. It is also generally thought that the tank water itself holds very little benificial bacteria so, if you insist on doing i this way I would skip the water part.I would stick with a regular cycle. Add some filter media and gravel possibly from another tank to help this out. I would advise keeping anything out of the pond away from the coldwater tank unless it's inhabitants are going to be in the pond sometime in the future.
 
Veto: Actually..........several of them probably will windup in a outdoor pond.


parasite arguement: If they are in the water, wouldn't they also get caught in the filter?

if there is no advantage, i'll do it the normal way.
 
If they are going to wind up in the pond I see no reason not to. Also as for the parasites, usually, no they won't get caught up in the filter this is why you end up with ich and velvet, along with other diseases. But in a pond you also end up with things like dragonfly larvae and other organisms that can be harmful to fish that are usually not found in a aquarium situation. The only advantage would be the fact that the cycle would take less time. I would think that the draw-backs could out-number the positive side of it.
 
personally, I don't see the difference between the dragonfly larvae in the pond and dragonfly larvae in the aquarium. the fish are going to be exposed to them, in water, either way. Fish in ponds can live long, healthy lives. Can you explain this to me, vato?

I'd say go for it (using filter squeezings).

Also, vato, your last post confuses me...
If they are going to wind up in the pond I see no reason not to.
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The only advantage would be the fact that the cycle would take less time. I would think that the draw-backs could out-number the positive side of it.
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I'm saying you expressed two conflicting ideas in the same paragraph.
 
Originally posted by ChicoRaton
I'm saying you expressed two conflicting ideas in the same paragraph.
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There are more than just goldfish that are coldwater species and I have no Idea if they are ever going to be put in the pond. If they are going to be put in the pond sometime anyhow, you might as well, but if they are not going into the pond then I'd keep them away from the things that could potentially dangeous or leathal to them. That is what I am reffering to in the first quote. In the second one I was refering to if SOME of the inhabitants were never going to end up in the pond as implied here:
several of them probably will windup in a outdoor pond
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If this is the case, then I would be advising to not allow the pond water into the tank.
 
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