Seeding bio media question

[Nepherael]

I'd like to seed bio media in my current tank as a future proofing for fry tanks and maybe another tank down the road I would like to setup.

My question is: does the seed material (say a coarse sponge or scrubbie) have to be in the filter or if I hide it somewhere in my tank will that work also? I'd like to never have to wait 6 weeks for a fish less cycle or go through a full cycle again if I can manage it (I say that with the intention of never going over 75g and knowing that I would still have to slowly introduce fish to a new tank even with seeded media. I just can't stand the look of a fish less tank)

 

[F1 VET]

I'd like to seed bio media in my current tank as a future proofing for fry tanks and maybe another tank down the road I would like to setup.

My question is: does the seed material (say a coarse sponge or scrubbie) have to be in the filter or if I hide it somewhere in my tank will that work also? I'd like to never have to wait 6 weeks for a fish less cycle or go through a full cycle again if I can manage it (I say that with the intention of never going over 75g and knowing that I would still have to slowly introduce fish to a new tank even with seeded media. I just can't stand the look of a fish less tank)

Bio media is generally placed in the filter due to the water transfer or gph also being in the filter the bb needs oxygen transfer to live, sponges or foam arent the most effiecent home for bb, ceramic bio has millions of tiny pores so the bb will thrive and all u do is shake in tank water every 2 months! Id say just put it in ur canister after mech filtration and in 2 weeks or so it will be seeded.

Recently i set up a 10 gal, all i did was fill it with dechlor water throw in some bio rings from my fx5 checked the params 12 hours later and NO amm or nitrite. Quick and easy

#1 S. Vettel

 

[Nepherael]

Ok, I figured that it would be iffy needing the water over it and the oxygen.

I read a sticky on biomedia and had been trying to pick what I want to stick with. Thanks for recommending the ceramic. Ill put some in my canister filter and start trying to slowly replace what it already has in it (some sort of white sponge and some sort of coarse sponge which were refills that came with it when I bought it)

 

[Nepherael]

Also let's say I buy/build a wet/dry filter, can I hook that up to my current tank while keeping my canister filter on it and will it seed from there?

I was thinking I could do it that way and then once the ceramic is established just unhook my canister filter for use elsewhere

 

[F1 VET]

Also let's say I buy/build a wet/dry filter, can I hook that up to my current tank while keeping my canister filter on it and will it seed from there?

I was thinking I could do it that way and then once the ceramic is established just unhook my canister filter for use elsewhere

Correct. Give it a month to fully seed w/ no interuptions! Keep it shut for 30 days!

#1 S. Vettel

 

[Nepherael]

Rock on. Thank you for being so helpful

 

[duanes]

You can also seed with a little substrate from an established tank, plants, rocks or wood that has been in an established tank a while. Or hide a sponge in a sump near water flow. Just make sure if you put it in a newly set up tank, there is something (a few small fish, whatever, giving off ammonia)in the tank to provide food for the microbes, without food those seeded articles can become unseeded.

 

[Nepherael]

You can also seed with a little substrate from an established tank, plants, rocks or wood that has been in an established tank a while. Or hide a sponge in a sump near water flow. Just make sure if you put it in a newly set up tank, there is something (a few small fish, whatever, giving off ammonia)in the tank to provide food for the microbes, without food those seeded articles can become unseeded.

Definitely, I've learned a lot the past few weeks. When I first started trying to educate about the cycling process I had so many conflicting resources. I'm glad I found this forum because I'll be here asking or researching anything I can think of.

My girlfriend and I have fallen in love with the hobby. Still can't figure out why either =)