So I gave my buddy my 30 gallon and a couple fish, problem is he doesnt have time to cycle it, i gave him two of my filters with media Ive been using and I also advised him to fill half the tank with water from a local pond. he already put one fish in and so far it hasn't shown any problems but if you guys can offer any more advise or maybe a recommendation on how long he should wait before putting in the other fish, or recommendations on precautions, i know its bad not to cycle a tank but he didnt have a choice.
30 gallon set up, some help and advice
- Thread starter fhawk362
- Start date
I usually do about 1lb of gravel per gallon, 2lbs per gallon if you're using an undergravel filter. There's a great thread about Seachem Stability, a product designed to cycle your tank in about half the time.
You don't have to cycle your tank, but if you don't it means large daily water changes. Lots of work and its still pretty stressful for the fish.
Why pond water?
You don't have to cycle your tank, but if you don't it means large daily water changes. Lots of work and its still pretty stressful for the fish.
Why pond water?
kallmond;4151777; said:
thanks,and the pond water is to get some BB so cycling wouldnt be a problem
The "BB" that grows in your tank to turn fish waste into nitrite grows on things, it doesn't float in the water. I'd be more worried about pesticides/pollutants, super high nitrate, and parasites than 1 or 2 ppm beneficial bacteria that might appear in pond water.
I was thinking that but I figured itd be safer, I figured its a good route to go cause I used to use strictly water from my canal with those fish and they were doing fine.
As mentioned, adding pond water is very unlikely to add any Ammonia/Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria to the tank... It is far more likely to add undesirable things... I surely wouldn't do this to my tank...
Using Stability or another quality Bacterial Supplement is what I would recommend to your friend. It costs a bit but is closer to 'fool proof' than other approaches.
Personally I start new tanks using media from mature tanks. But I have experience to evaluate things and understand the probable work involved in the form of frequent water changes to keep ammonia/nitrite in check.
Using Stability or another quality Bacterial Supplement is what I would recommend to your friend. It costs a bit but is closer to 'fool proof' than other approaches.
Personally I start new tanks using media from mature tanks. But I have experience to evaluate things and understand the probable work involved in the form of frequent water changes to keep ammonia/nitrite in check.
yea, thats why i gave him the two filters with previously used media, I'll have to recommend such cycling products to him, maybe he can do a water change and put them to use, thanks guys.
Get some Superbac. Great stuff. I use it on all of my tanks setups. It's basically concentrated BB and can get your tank up and running super fast. You can also add fish in the same day, so it's fine. Check it out.