Fluval Fx5, Bio-Balls, Fishless Cycle..?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
P

PaiLum92

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 18, 2010
439
0
0
Fort Collins
Hey all,

So, I went ahead and ordered a Fluval Fx5, and it will be here in about 3-4 days.

I was wondering about a fishless cycle? Can it be done depending on the media I get for the Fx5?

Like, I know my HOB has a bio-wheel that after a few weeks will establish bb for the tank, so I don’t need fish or whatever, if I get bio-balls for the Fluval, will it work the same way?

The reason I am asking about a fishless cycle is because I am going away for 3 weeks in May, so I won’t be able to water-change, feed, etc.

Can it be done though? A fishless cycle with bio-balls, and a few other media in the Fluval Fx5? If I start the cycle on April 25, will it be fully established by the time I get home, on May 26?

Thanks for any info..
 
yeah dont quote me on it but im sure it can be done. is your HOB still in use if it is and still has bacteria on it i woul add that to the tank while cycling it too.
 
No, they havent been running for a while.

I guess what my real question is, what i'm really wondering is, is can I just let my tank run, without waterchanges, for 5-6 weeks, with no food, bb, no fish, etc, so that when I get home I can just throw some Stability and such in like I always do, and be done with it? Or do I NEED the waterchanges?
 
PaiLum92 said:
Hey all,

So, I went ahead and ordered a Fluval Fx5, and it will be here in about 3-4 days.

I was wondering about a fishless cycle? Can it be done depending on the media I get for the Fx5?

Like, I know my HOB has a bio-wheel that after a few weeks will establish bb for the tank, so I don’t need fish or whatever, if I get bio-balls for the Fluval, will it work the same way?

The reason I am asking about a fishless cycle is because I am going away for 3 weeks in May, so I won’t be able to water-change, feed, etc.

Can it be done though? A fishless cycle with bio-balls, and a few other media in the Fluval Fx5? If I start the cycle on April 25, will it be fully established by the time I get home, on May 26?

Thanks for any info..
Click to expand...

Don't get bio balls for the fx5. They work better in wet/dry setups. Stick with bio rings. BB doesn't grow out of no where if you can't feed it then it won't grow. So no, unless your able to find a way to keep feeding the BB while your gone on your trip. My advice is to just cycle when you get back, buy stability and you can have the fish in the tank while it's cycling. And your HOBs bio wheels will not establish BB after a few weeks if there is no fish/food source.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
 
Ok, is there a way then to let it cycle without fish, but just by throwing in fish food, or shrimp or dead feeders, like some people say? Will that build bacteria, and all the vitals?
 
aclockworkorange said:
Possible. But it's going to smell...
Click to expand...

Ah, smell shouldnt be too bad, im a college student, i'm sure i've smelled worse..

eklikewhoa said:
You could throw a few table shrimp into the tank, that will be plenty to feed for the time you are gone.
Click to expand...

About how many should do it, a handful or two? Also, should I leave them in the entire time im gone, or have someone else take them out at some point?
 
I would do probably 5-10 with the tanks listed in your sig. Make sure you keep the pumps running so if it does start smelling the smell wont be so bad as if it were stagnant.

Leave them till you get back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom