So my plywood 8x4x3 has been filled and running for 3 weeks now. So I poured 3/4 of this stuff in day 1 and then the rest 2 days later.:
http://www.bigalspets.ca/multi-purpose-bio-support-16-fl-oz.html
I also had about 7 rotting smelt in the tank for about a week and a half.
For reasons that would take a bit long to get into here I also started running a drip a week after, I realize this probably prolonged everything, but it was something that needed doing given the circumstances as it would have made life a lot more difficult in the future if I didn't, long story short it would have hurt another tank that I run my drip system through if I didn't since my system is unbelievably finicky and we are talking about tanks on different levels of the house, etc.. Started dripping roughly 150 GPD, moved it up to 200 this weekend with a bit of hot water because my tank temp in the basement was sitting a bit low. I got a large, close to 2 foot arowana last week from a friend as this fish has been proven to be extremely hardy (was 3/4 dried on the floor one day, thrown back in, perfectly fine, third suicide attempt) and the thought was that it would help the tank cycle.
For filters I am running 1.75 cuft of k1, does not appear to be seeded yet. I also have about 1/4 of a 55g barrel filled with bio balls and pot scrubbies. I placed 3 large (7" diameter or so if it were a perfect circle) bags full of ceramic rings in my overflow box as well, these were nice and seeded. There is no substrate in the tank currently, I am unsure if I will get some or not, I would like to get another 1.25-1.5 cuft of k1 but don't know when I will be able to grab that for cost reasons. Tank is roughly at 6x turnover, maybe 7.
I tested the water yesterday: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10-20 nitrate. Arowana still hasn't eaten in his new home, but I am not so concerned because it was a big change in environment for him, and he shows interest in the food just doesn't pull the trigger.
I would like to put at least 2 large stingrays in the tank, 18-24". These things have obviously huge bioloads, and I am unsure when would be safe to introduce them. My understanding is there is only enough bio bacteria that is required for the bioload, so once I toss one of the stringrays in there I imagine there will not be enough BB in there as right now it only is supporting a silver aro that doesn't eat (therefore doesn't produce waste). I imagine there would be a spike or crash of some sort, how big I have no idea, nor do I know if my big rays would be able to handle it.
On to the questions:
First off, do I have enough bio media to even support these fully cycled? I think I do, though not sure about k1 not being seeded yet.
How much longer should I wait before adding the rays?
Should I be adding one at a time or is both in 1 go the better option?
Is there anything further I can do to prepare or is it a question of putting them in and hoping the bacteria grows and seeds quick enough? I am thinking maybe see if I can get another large hearty fish, or maybe letting some more stuff rot, or adding more of the bottled bacteria, or taking substrate from my established tank and putting it in the plywood. Unfortunately stopping the drip would be a large set back, if it is determined I absolutely need to do this I am open, otherwise it stays as is.
Any other thoughts? I only ever worked off previously established filters and media and substrate and simply transferred tanks, of course I have cycled smaller tanks but never anything this large. I would like to get these rays moved relatively soon as I would like to find another male breeder and offer some more space, however I know rays are REALLY sensitive to this sort of stuff, so I want to make sure I am doing this right.
Thanks in advance, I am sure I will have more questions.
millerkid519
CANAMONSTER
Lepisosteus
Dieselhybrid
wednesday13
duanes
http://www.bigalspets.ca/multi-purpose-bio-support-16-fl-oz.html
I also had about 7 rotting smelt in the tank for about a week and a half.
For reasons that would take a bit long to get into here I also started running a drip a week after, I realize this probably prolonged everything, but it was something that needed doing given the circumstances as it would have made life a lot more difficult in the future if I didn't, long story short it would have hurt another tank that I run my drip system through if I didn't since my system is unbelievably finicky and we are talking about tanks on different levels of the house, etc.. Started dripping roughly 150 GPD, moved it up to 200 this weekend with a bit of hot water because my tank temp in the basement was sitting a bit low. I got a large, close to 2 foot arowana last week from a friend as this fish has been proven to be extremely hardy (was 3/4 dried on the floor one day, thrown back in, perfectly fine, third suicide attempt) and the thought was that it would help the tank cycle.
For filters I am running 1.75 cuft of k1, does not appear to be seeded yet. I also have about 1/4 of a 55g barrel filled with bio balls and pot scrubbies. I placed 3 large (7" diameter or so if it were a perfect circle) bags full of ceramic rings in my overflow box as well, these were nice and seeded. There is no substrate in the tank currently, I am unsure if I will get some or not, I would like to get another 1.25-1.5 cuft of k1 but don't know when I will be able to grab that for cost reasons. Tank is roughly at 6x turnover, maybe 7.
I tested the water yesterday: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10-20 nitrate. Arowana still hasn't eaten in his new home, but I am not so concerned because it was a big change in environment for him, and he shows interest in the food just doesn't pull the trigger.
I would like to put at least 2 large stingrays in the tank, 18-24". These things have obviously huge bioloads, and I am unsure when would be safe to introduce them. My understanding is there is only enough bio bacteria that is required for the bioload, so once I toss one of the stringrays in there I imagine there will not be enough BB in there as right now it only is supporting a silver aro that doesn't eat (therefore doesn't produce waste). I imagine there would be a spike or crash of some sort, how big I have no idea, nor do I know if my big rays would be able to handle it.
On to the questions:
First off, do I have enough bio media to even support these fully cycled? I think I do, though not sure about k1 not being seeded yet.
How much longer should I wait before adding the rays?
Should I be adding one at a time or is both in 1 go the better option?
Is there anything further I can do to prepare or is it a question of putting them in and hoping the bacteria grows and seeds quick enough? I am thinking maybe see if I can get another large hearty fish, or maybe letting some more stuff rot, or adding more of the bottled bacteria, or taking substrate from my established tank and putting it in the plywood. Unfortunately stopping the drip would be a large set back, if it is determined I absolutely need to do this I am open, otherwise it stays as is.
Any other thoughts? I only ever worked off previously established filters and media and substrate and simply transferred tanks, of course I have cycled smaller tanks but never anything this large. I would like to get these rays moved relatively soon as I would like to find another male breeder and offer some more space, however I know rays are REALLY sensitive to this sort of stuff, so I want to make sure I am doing this right.
Thanks in advance, I am sure I will have more questions.
millerkid519
CANAMONSTER
Lepisosteus
Dieselhybrid
wednesday13
duanes
