Free 50 Gallon Corner, What Should I Do?

[Pazzoman]

Hey Everybody,

This weekend I will be getting a relatives 50 gallon corner, because she has upgraded to a 75 gallon corner. It come's with an fx5 that still has the dirty foams and media in it with the saltwater. Is it ok to reuse the whole filter to cycle the tank?

 

[EastBay]

As long as it doesn't dry out, should still be good to help cycle new tank.

 

[gveng]

as long as the fx5 is still running. if they turned off the filter and just left water in it for a week, most of the BB will die.

i say start new, clean it out, let it dry and then start a new cycle with a shrimp.

 

[Heathd]

If you can get it up and running pretty quick, i would use whats in the fx5 as is, and just clean the tank before setting it up.

Although, I doubt its going to get it cycled much faster.

 

[nonstophoops]

as long as the fx5 is still running. if they turned off the filter and just left water in it for a week, most of the BB will die.

i say start new, clean it out, let it dry and then start a new cycle with a shrimp.

+1 Canister filters become anaerobic within a few minutes of the power going off. This will cause the aerobic bacteria to die very quickly and the anaerobic bacteria to start to populate. The anaerobic bacteria will then die as soon as you turn the canister back on.

 

[Pazzoman]

That sucks, well it was turned off Saturday and I will be getting it Saturday along with the tank. I'll probably clean it out completely.

Then I will do the following:

My Fx5: Has 6 foams, 3 Carbon Bags, pound or 2 of biomax and 3 bags of clear max
(If you think thier are better materials to place in my fx5 don't be afraid to suggest, I always enjoy the tips given by mfk members!)

The fx5 I'm getting has the same exact materials I have (we put our filter's together with the same media lol)

I'm thinking of cleaning 2 or 3 foams from the fx5 I'm getting and place it in my fx5...then place the foam with lot's of good bacteria (I hope) into that fx5. This procedure will go the same with the other media, pretty much placing half of my media in that fx5, and taking the clean ones.

Also like I said above is their better media out their? Maybe live rock rubble should be in one of the three chambers? I don't know, I'm open for ideas lol

Last but not least,

I don't want this tank to have any corals, trying to keep it simple and cheap (I'm 15 money doesn't grow on trees...or does it? " I'm thinking of just placing an octopus in their and that will be it...any other idea's will be great! Sorry for all this writing