Pre-establishing filter media.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Howdy,

I doubt it would be a "ready to go" tank. After all, lots of biofiltration takes place in the substrate as well. However, I think it would be a great head-start for a speedy cycle.

I would stock the tank very lightly and increase the number of fish to the desired level over the course of a week or two.

HarleyK
 
I've got everything in the sump of my 265. The 300 it will be going into will only have a 15" black aro, 14" tig, 6" synondontus, and a 5" ray. It should be a much lighter bioload.
 
I start tanks all the time with scrbbies or bioballs from my sump filter.Got 2 hydro V sponges in my oscar tank and 2 in my mbuna tank right now to start new tanks.As long as the increase in biolad isnt too much the new tank will be cycled in days max.
 
Looks like we're all pretty much in agreement, 'cept the sump is the cleanest part of the system and will take the longest time to mature. Put the sponges on top of your scrubbies and to be fully matured will be like a normal cycle 3-4 wks. When you remove the sponges, the old filter is going to be stressed for a week so lower your feedings during that time. The percntage of sponges you put in the old filter is in direct proportion to your new bio-load. In others words...don't expect to support the same bio-load with 2 sponges that you were supporting with 60 scrubbies. :D

Not only is this is great for starting new tanks or beefing up the filter when adding more fish, but several people on here lately have had trouble with spiking ammonia or heaters running wild and killing a high percentage of the bacteria in their filters.

Dr Joe

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I am actually seeding some new media right now for a wet/dry. Its pretty simple... and pretty ugly. I drilled two holes in a 5gal bucket, one in the lid (center), and one in the bottom(along the side). I filled the bucket with the media (bio-balls this time) I plan on using. I made a cheap drip plate out of a plastic picture frame (this lays on top of the media in the bucket). Next I connect a tube to an old powerhead I had lying around. I run this tube to the lid of the bucket. I put the bucket on top of an established tank and place the power head in the tank. I align the hole in the bottom of the bucket with the opening in the back of my tank lid. And there you have it... the ugliest way to seed your media. I have had this set-up for about 3 weeks, and the bucket on top of my tank is getting pretty old but it will be worth it. You could even do this on top of you sump and not make your tank look like crap.
 
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