470 gallon k1 filtration questions

[Brandon Beck]

Got my 470 gallon running finally. First time using k1 media. I have 15 gallons of it to start. Its in roughly 45 gallons of water. 1100gph air pump, added a wave maker in there as well. I let 3 small bags of it float in one of my other tanks for a few weeks. That stuff seems to be tumbling. The rest is just piled ontop as you can kind of see. Is there anything I can do to help it get going? Add more regular media in there for a little bit or anything? Appreciate any input!

 

[HUKIT]

I don’t believe there is any magic short cut to achieve the boiling effect. Just takes patience waiting for the biofilm to form, this process can take upwards of a month.

 

[Alicinser]

Got my 470 gallon running finally. First time using k1 media. I have 15 gallons of it to start. Its in roughly 45 gallons of water. 1100gph air pump, added a wave maker in there as well. I let 3 small bags of it float in one of my other tanks for a few weeks. That stuff seems to be tumbling. The rest is just piled ontop as you can kind of see. Is there anything I can do to help it get going? Add more regular media in there for a little bit or anything? Appreciate any input!

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If some of the K1 is moving and the rest is just sitting, it usually means you need a bit more airflow or time for the media to mature and lighten. Seeding it with established media helps, but the main thing is keeping oxygen and movement consistent so the biofilm can develop.