Will Adding an Extra Bio Help??

[PPOHolbrook]

AM cycling a 75 gallong tank. Heard everyone on here say charcoal is really useless unless u r trying to get meds outta the water. Was wondering if I could take the carbon out of my AQ70 and replace with another form of bio starts, rings, bio-max etc? WOuld this assist in cycling the tank, adding good bacteria?? I am running 2 AQ70's at present.

Brian:help:

[Mgamer20o0]

its not going to help it cycle faster by taking out the carbon but it will give you better filtering depending on what you want.

[Daudzegier]

Find a freind or go to a localy owned pet store and get some of thier gravel from an established tank. Put it in a cheese cloth or some womans nylon hose, tie it off and set it in your tank. This sack of gravel will serve as a kick starting bacteria colony and will magicly infest the rest of your tank thus speeding up the cycling process. I suggest this method of shortning cylcing time over biospira or anything else like that. Chemicals are bad. All you can do is help nature do its thing, you cant make it do something it doesnt want to.

[clawlan]

its not going to help it cycle faster by taking out the carbon but it will give you better filtering depending on what you want.

I currently have my carbon packet in there plus 2 bio-packets (Aquaclear 70). Think I should remove the carbon? Might that help reduce ammonia because of better filtration?

[jm1212]

adding more bio media that is unseeded will only add the places for the bacteria to grow, not help the cycle along.
eventually, the carbon will be used up and become a pretty good biological media itself.

[Mgamer20o0]

I currently have my carbon packet in there plus 2 bio-packets (Aquaclear 70). Think I should remove the carbon? Might that help reduce ammonia because of better filtration?

depends on what you want. do you want more biological or mechanical filtration?

[clawlan]

depends on what you want. do you want more biological or mechanical filtration?

hm, i guess i am unclear on the difference. In your opinion, what is better?

[Mgamer20o0]

hm, i guess i am unclear on the difference. In your opinion, what is better?

bio is using something with lots of surface like bio balls or bio rings or scrubbers where bacteria grows.

using sponges or floss polishes the water traps dirt ext.

[clawlan]

bio is using something with lots of surface like bio balls or bio rings or scrubbers where bacteria grows.

using sponges or floss polishes the water traps dirt ext.

well, I have the sponge, carbon, and 2 bio-mass inserts. Should do everything I need.

[PPOHolbrook]

Now that the thread has been hijacked never mind!!!!!!!!!!!

[willsher]

Best advice I ever got that worked was to stop messing with my filters, do water changes, and be patient. Oh, and don't add any more fish.

[clawlan]

Now that the thread has been hijacked never mind!!!!!!!!!!!

your question was answered.

[PPOHolbrook]

As with most questions everyone has differing answers and was hoping to hear some of them!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Star_Rider]

any media you place in the filter will eventually become bio media.

the difference is how much surface area you v=create to allow beneficial bacteria to attach to.

the sponge does more than just filter out the sediment. it also has surface for the bacteria to set up house.
the bio media(ceramic rings etc) basically occupy the same space but have more surface area for the bacteria to establish.

adding more of this media will not speed up the cycle..but when the cycle gets established will help make for a good base.

sponges need to be rinsed out thus you may loose some bacteria the rings may get slightly rinsed from time to time.
activated carbon is useful at helping to remove pollutant..I see no detriment to using it in the filter to help..but it can get costly and is not considered necessary in a tank that get regular water changes.

[clawlan]

As with most questions everyone has differing answers and was hoping to hear some of them!!!!!!!!!!!!

not to be jerk but you asked a yes or no type question. "will taking out the carbon and adding another bio-ring insert speed up cycling". The answer in NO. The only thing that will do is add more surface area for bacteria to create colonies. No other way to say it.