I have very good access to a bunch of mature fish tanks. Ive been meaning to add something to mine from one of them to give the cycling a boost. The only problem is, none of the gravel i can get is the same color and that of the gravel i have, and im not sure how i would use media in my tank, since i have a whisper, and none of the tanks i ahve access to have this type of filter. Is it posible to maybe put some matured rocks in a net like thing and put them in my aquarium somewhere, or maybe a small hanfull of them in the filter.. any ideas? Also, would an ornament from an established tank work as well? And if im unsure of exactly what could be lurking in a tank, are there any precations i should take? there is currently salt in my tank treating ich, so im not worried about that getting in my tank.
using "mature" gravel/filter media to help cycle a tank.
- Thread starter nvan2
- Start date
Gravel in a mesh filter bag would work - a tank decoration from a well established tank would also supply some bacteria. You don't want to use too many chemicals when you are trying to get the bacteria going. I would just make sure about the recent history of illnesses in the tank you are getting the materials from.
There really isn't much that can lurk in a tank but there is always a riskto some level or amother. I would be cautious to get media from a healthy tank if at all. Otherwise Bio-spira would be the way to go if you aren't sure, and already have fish in the tank.
Any surface which is in the tank, and has access to oxygen and nitrogen will colonize the bacteria you want. So yes a tank decoration would help, but not as much as a higher surface area substance might. In other words, look for something pourous for better results. as far as media or gravel, either one can be hung in a bag in your tank. IF you borrow gravel try to get only the upper surface gravel, because oxygen is usually limited in the substrate so the deeper portions don't colonize as well. Filter media is usually the better option, and can be hung in an area of good circulation just like gravel. Then as your tank filter colonizes and grows, you can eventually remove the bagged media and return or discard it.
HTH
Dave
Any surface which is in the tank, and has access to oxygen and nitrogen will colonize the bacteria you want. So yes a tank decoration would help, but not as much as a higher surface area substance might. In other words, look for something pourous for better results. as far as media or gravel, either one can be hung in a bag in your tank. IF you borrow gravel try to get only the upper surface gravel, because oxygen is usually limited in the substrate so the deeper portions don't colonize as well. Filter media is usually the better option, and can be hung in an area of good circulation just like gravel. Then as your tank filter colonizes and grows, you can eventually remove the bagged media and return or discard it.
HTH
Dave