Cycling a large "tank"

[guppy]

The tank is 1000 gallons. No3 is Nitrates, I assume. I probably just need to wait, I added frog bit and hyacinth as well. I did use dechlrinator and even an ammo lock type product once. The temp is 76, because I just cant get it any higher. Ill have to be patient.

So should I not do water changes until it is completely cycled?

Sounds good so far, at 72F it could easily take twice as long as at 82F. What kind of filter system are you using and what is the filter volume and flow rate?

 

[Booger]

I'm very impatient. I usually put a few fish in before the cycle is complete and try to compensate with plants, 2x/daily water changes, and very light feeding until things get going.

 

[guppy]

I'm very impatient. I usually put a few fish in before the cycle is complete and try to compensate with plants, 2x/daily water changes, and very light feeding until things get going.

I do too, I add a couple fish at a time and go through a whole series of mini-cycles.

One thing I notice is that a lot of people going to ponds tend to estimate the ammount of biomedia needed, that is why I am asking about the volume of biomedia and flow rate being used. I would use about 40g worth with at least a 2500gph flow on a 1000g pond if I was going for a moderate stocking level.

 

[astronatus]

I have about 40 gal of media, but only a 1100 per hour flow rate. I had heard that was sufficient, but maybe not...

 

[pitbull]

If I'm starting from scratch, I use the fishless cycle. If I have a larger tank running with good bio media in it, I'll use some of the media in the new tank's filters.

 

[Mourinho18]

wow. Took a wicked long time for some of you guys. I use the fishless cycle and basically PUMP the aquarium full of store bought ammonia. . Enough so that theres an ultra high reading of about 8 ppm. yeahhhhh, sounds like a lot. Then after a few days, I do a water change, and it took about 2 weeks to cycle the kiddie pool that way.

 

[guppy]

I have about 40 gal of media, but only a 1100 per hour flow rate. I had heard that was sufficient, but maybe not...

For low level stocking like most outdoor ponds that should be sufficient, unfortunately some people try to stock indoor ponds like they were fish tanks, but without fish tank levels of filtering. yours sounds adequate, other than the cycle taking a bit longer than normal at 76 degrees, I don't know what the delay is from.

 

[Fried_fish]

If I'm starting from scratch, I use the fishless cycle. If I have a larger tank running with good bio media in it, I'll use some of the media in the new tank's filters.

nice to see you on mfk pitbull. VA people know their hobby =P

 

[astronatus]

How many fish should I put in a tank this size, 1000 gal?

 

[guppy]

How many fish should I put in a tank this size, 1000 gal?

1

This one, heheh.
Ok, maybe not, that one is a bit big. the picture is from a conservation website called siamensis.org and the fish is the Thai freshwater stingray (Himantura chaophraya).

I guess my point is it depends on the fish and the foot print of the pond, if it is 8'x 6'x 2 1/2" you could put in 4 (8") bluegills, 6 (8") yellow perch, 2 (8") speckled bullheads, and a 2 1/2' sterlet, as a bonus it would not need heating.