Noob question

[nfored]

Ok so I have start construction of my new sump. bought new bio media, and have been told to float my old bio media in the sump for a couple months removing a little at a time.

I understand all of this, my question is

If i remove some of the media how can I store it so it stays alive incase I took out to much and need to put some back. I was thinking of taking some tank water and filling a 5 gallon bucket and keeping the media in the buck and adding ammonia every day, but then what about nitrites I really cant add them.

Side note I have found whats more addicting than fish keeping, and that's fish projects, I have so many started I can't fininsh any of them.

 

[zennzzo]

Ok so I have start construction of my new sump. bought new bio media, and have been told to float my old bio media in the sump for a couple months removing a little at a time.

I understand all of this, my question is

If i remove some of the media how can I store it so it stays alive incase I took out to much and need to put some back. I was thinking of taking some tank water and filling a 5 gallon bucket and keeping the media in the buck and adding ammonia every day, but then what about nitrites I really cant add them.

Side note I have found whats more addicting than fish keeping, and that's fish projects, I have so many started I can't fininsh any of them.

OK the cycle for media is:
fish waste etc = ammonia
ammonia is converted to nitrite
nitrite is converted to nitrate...

To seed your new filter just take a handfull of established media and put it in with your new media...you'll still need a bio-load on the new filter to get it to cycle...

Is the new filter going to be an addition? or replacement? of the old filter

 

[nfored]

What I am trying to do is this.

Build my new sump put the new media in the media tray, and float the old media in the bottom of the sump.

Every other week pull 25% of the old filter media out, but store it for about 2 or 3 days in case I see a spike. If I can keep it a live for a few days I can add some of it back .