Biological bacteria

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

Perhaps in the wrong spot, but I trust my ca and sa keepers. How long would a mesh bag of media need to sit in an established tank to be considerate viable for use in a filter? Trying to set up a tank for a friend's kid and don't want him to have to deal with cycling. He's super smart, but only 6 years old.

 

[tlindsey]

Perhaps in the wrong spot, but I trust my ca and sa keepers. How long would a mesh bag of media need to sit in an established tank to be considerate viable for use in a filter? Trying to set up a tank for a friend's kid and don't want him to have to deal with cycling. He's super smart, but only 6 years old.

Thats a very good question.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

There is no set amount of time as all systems will be different. I would say you would normally be good to go after a month.
You could help speed the process by adding some mature media from your own existing filter.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I am also not sure about the minimum time to seed the media. Some things that should help include placing the bag of media in a place where there is some water flow.

Another would be to place the bag of media in a filter body where it touches older established media. My thinking being that direct contact may speed up the colonization of the bacteria.

I have attached a link to an article I like about cycling. Not sure if the answer is hidden in the text as I have not read thru the entire thing in a while.


http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/nitrogen_cycle.html

good luck

 

[neutrino]

There is no set amount of time as all systems will be different. I would say you would normally be good to go after a month.
You could help speed the process by adding some mature media from your own existing filter.

+1. Wouldn't need a large amount, not so much as it would bother the donor tank, you're basically just seeding the new filter. Adding substrate from an established tank also helps, most solid surfaces with an oxygen supply in a healthy tank will develop beneficial bacteria, not just filter media.

Might sound contradictory but a key to getting up and running quickly is not to be in a hurry. Stock gradually (not meaning one or two fish at a time, just don't load up with full grown fish right away) or start with smaller fish that will grow out to fill the tank, feed lightly to sparingly at first. I've used the same simple formula a number of times to start new tanks without a hitch-- seed the new filter with some mature media, add some substrate from a mature tank, don't fully stock the tank right away or start with smaller fish, feed lightly at first, give the new tank some time to get fully up to speed.

 

[ragin_cajun]

Just split your bio media with the kid. Take half of his. You'll both be fine.

 

[Tyler_Wentworth_150]

Just split your bio media with the kid. Take half of his. You'll both be fine.

+1. Wouldn't need a large amount, not so much as it would bother the donor tank, you're basically just seeding the new filter. Adding substrate from an established tank also helps, most solid surfaces with an oxygen supply in a healthy tank will develop beneficial bacteria, not just filter media.

Might sound contradictory but a key to getting up and running quickly is not to be in a hurry. Stock gradually (not meaning one or two fish at a time, just don't load up with full grown fish right away) or start with smaller fish that will grow out to fill the tank, feed lightly to sparingly at first. I've used the same simple formula a number of times to start new tanks without a hitch-- seed the new filter with some mature media, add some substrate from a mature tank, don't fully stock the tank right away or start with smaller fish, feed lightly at first, give the new tank some time to get fully up to speed.

I was planning on splitting media, this thread came more from curiosity. I appreciate all the input guys

 

[ehh]

ill just echo whats been said... i'd say around a month.

anytime I've set up a new tank I've simply pulled media from one of my established tanks and replaced it with new media. maybe like, 20% of the total bio media i have in the filter ill remove and replace and I feel as if I've never had a hiccup in a system because of it.
just some food for thought.