Cycling Question

[lancerland]

I am cycling a 10 gallon tank, I got a used filter from a coworker of mine, and I was wondering how long I need to get it in the tank for?

He gave it to me right from his tank and I brought it home and through it in my tank right away, making sure that it was still wet.

 

[J double R]

assuming his tank was well cycled, you should be good to go... make sure you put something in the tank to keep it cycled (fish food, fish) somethign to keep the bioload on the filter.

 

[lancerland]

Well I have 3 Rasboras in there now, I was just wondering how long I need to keep my buddies old filter in the tank?

 

[J double R]

i would keep it in there a minimum of 2 weeks, 1 month to be sure.

 

[lancerland]

Cool thanks fro your quick response.

On a side note, I started fish keeping, not really knowing what to expect, and last night I spent 2 hours just sitting and watching my fish. Who knew that I would fall in love with it so quickly.

 

[Star_Rider]

use a test kit and minitor the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates..when ammonia and nitrites hit 0 you can prob remove the old media.

also you may want to wring the old filter media out into your filter.

 

[lancerland]

I did that when I first brought it home, and then I put it in an unused nylon, and tied it to the filter so it isn't floating around in my tank.

 

[Star_Rider]

if the filter media has viabl bacteria on it..you should be able to cycle the tank in a few days.

do you have a test kit?

 

[lancerland]

Not yet, I went to 4 different LFS and they only had the saltwater one, I am going to a 5th one after work today, I called them and they said they had one left.

I really cant stand not knowing what is going on in there, I mean the fish look happy, but there is no way to tell. So I have been doing 25% WC every day, just because I am paranoid.

 

[Kyohti]

They're easy to buy online too, I got mine for a steal on eBay... shipping included!! Make sure and get a liquid test if you can afford it. It's much more accurate.

Oh, and don't freak out with the test kit. Testing your water too often will drive you crazy with the results (and use up your test kit!). I always do my testing right before I do a water change so I can decide if it needs more than just the average 20-30% removed.

Welcome to the hobby, fellow fish-addict!!! ^__^