filter media from gold fish bowl

[DanielG]

Hi everyone,

I am just about to set up my Rio 125 and am going to do a fishless cycle. I have heard it mentioned on hear that using gravel or filter media from an established tank will speed up the process.

My friend has a poorly looked after gold fish bowl with no filter and i was wondering if i could use a little of his gravel to help speed up the cycling of my tank?

I was nt sure if it would be ok to use as his is just a normal cold freshwater bowl that has nt even got dechlorinated water in it. I am setting up a planted commuity tropical tank.

Also if i could use his, which by the way looks teeming with bacteria(or dirt) which would be the best way to introduce it to my tank?

 

[Coler]

It would depend on how poorly the tank has been maintained. If there is potentially disease in there the last thing you want to do is use anything from it.

If this is the only source you have I would pass and continue with your plan for a fishless cycle.

In general, media from a trusted source including filter sponge/squeezings, substrate etc. is a great way to boost a cycle. You would simply put the filter sponge/other inserts in your filter, or squeeze out a filter into a bag and transfer to your filter, or put some gravel in a permeable bag and introduce into your tank.

There's no difference between the nitrifying bacteria in a coldwater tank and those in a freshwater. Saltwater are however different to both.

 

[mostlycichlids]

Hi everyone,

I am just about to set up my Rio 125 and am going to do a fishless cycle. I have heard it mentioned on hear that using gravel or filter media from an established tank will speed up the process.

My friend has a poorly looked after gold fish bowl with no filter and i was wondering if i could use a little of his gravel to help speed up the cycling of my tank?

I was nt sure if it would be ok to use as his is just a normal cold freshwater bowl that has nt even got dechlorinated water in it. I am setting up a planted commuity tropical tank.

Also if i could use his, which by the way looks teeming with bacteria(or dirt) which would be the best way to introduce it to my tank?

I guarantee you there is absolutley no good bacteria in that goldfish bowl. The gravel would be worthless to you. The best thing to do is go to your LFS and see if they have a sponge or some gravel you can have to see your filters.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

I guarantee you there is absolutley no good bacteria in that goldfish bowl. The gravel would be worthless to you. The best thing to do is go to your LFS and see if they have a sponge or some gravel you can have to see your filters.

i dont think you should make that statement. yes if the tank is cycled there is good bacteria. yes there might be other things in the gravel and i wouldnt use iit. its not worth the risk in my mind. i would look for another source of bacteria.

 

[enrique4jc]

I have to agree the other posters. All you're going to find in that goldfish bowl is a dirty mess, and potentially some stuff that is dangerous to your new aquarium. Find another source, or cycle the long way!

 

[DanielG]

ok thanks for the info

 

[mostlycichlids]

i dont think you should make that statement. yes if the tank is cycled there is good bacteria. yes there might be other things in the gravel and i wouldnt use iit. its not worth the risk in my mind. i would look for another source of bacteria.

Why? There is no oxygen to keep the bacteria alive in a unfiltered goldfish bowl. Bacteria needs a oxygen source as well as an ammonia source. If it dont have both it dies off as fast as it can set up. Besides I think we can all agree cereal is for bowls not fish.