Fishless Cycle question

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pisces22

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Aug 1, 2004
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Hey all,

I have a fully cycled 21 gallon, its been running since mid July. I noticed some molly fry so i went out and got an aquaclear mini filter sponge to stick on the filter intake tube to stop all the lil babies from getting sucked up. They are rele growing! Anyway, i m planning on getting a 10 gallon in the near future-i already have an aquaclear mini and a filter on hand, and i was wondering if, once the babies are big (probably in 2 months time) i could remove the extra mini sponge and put it in the AC mini on the new 10 gallon. Would this help "jumpstart" the fishless cycle? would having the "block" sponge on for that long damage the 21 gallons' filter? would removing it ruin/damage the bacteria coloneys in the 21 and throw off the balance?

Thanks
 
You could use the sponges with no problems or worrys about damaging your bacteria colony, as they will replenish if they are slightly depleted. Also use some of the gravel from your bigger tank, that will jumpstart as well. Better yet, if you can, use bio-spira. If not, do not use cycle, it does not work (hopefully you know this already and didn't learn the hard way like me. :o ). hop this helped some.
 
Yes, use the filter foam that you're now using as an intake block. It will work great for an almost instant cycle. Also, do a water change from your big tank and put that in the fry tank-to-be. It'll then be almost exactly the same params and PH and be less of a shock when you move the fry. (I assume you have a heater for the fry tank? Get that set up and regulated, too, before you add the fry)

You will not damage your filter at all by having the foam on the intake valve, nor will you cause problems to the bacteria when you remove it. Lots of people block their intakes with foam.

I insta-cycled my 10gal, as well as my 5gal hospital tank, this way. If you can use gravel from your big tank, that will help, too, but the most of it will be on the foam. Just make sure you run the filter on the fry tank (with the foam in it) for an hour or so before adding the fry, just to settle the tank. If you're concerned about the fry getting sucked up in the big tank during that hour, buy another mini foam, put it on the intake, and eventually put it in your mini with the other one. Two foams are better than one!
 
Heck, if you've got the mini already, get it running on the 21g right now! Then when you're ready to start the next tank, you just take the filter off and move it to the 10g, voila! Yeah, definitely cover the intakes, I do that with all my filter and powerhead intakes, keeps plant leaves from getting sucked up.

You'll need to rinse the intake sponges at least once weekly, they'll get gunky fast. You can probably save a bit of money by buying a big filter foam, like for an AC500 and cutting it into fitted sizes.
 
Ok Great!!
Ya i wanted to attatch the mini but there is simply no room on my 21 g and no cutouts left for the hood oh well
Yes i have a heater for sure
Thanks for ur help ;)

PS does anyone else find baby fishies freakin adorable?? Im so attatched! I think they are females but i dont know how early u can tell for sure
 
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