Seeding new filter with cycled media

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Bigtdotcom

Bigtdotcom

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Oct 8, 2009
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Gold Coast
Hi guys I'm setting up a 20 litre tank for a beta I will be getting in the next few days. I'm not new to keeping fish, just been out of the hobby for a few year while I was lving abroad. Home now and easing back in to it. I have a 125gal still in storage, I used to keep American cichlids.
I didn't really wanna wait around to do. Fish less cycle and so I was lucky enough to get some filter media from a lfs. It's just some just used filter floss and it's a little brown. I'm hoping this will be all I nee to jump start the bacteria in my tank.
How long would the bacteria live with out any fish in the tank? As I mentioned I'll be getting a beta in a day or 2. Would adding a pinch or 2 of fish food every day be enough to keep the bacteria going. I don't have. Test kit at the moment. Am I on track here? Let me know if I missed something? Cheers
 
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Bigtdotcom said:
Hi guys I'm setting up a 20 litre tank for a beta I will be getting in the next few days. I'm not new to keeping fish, just been out of the hobby for a few year while I was lving abroad. Home now and easing back in to it. I have a 125gal still in storage, I used to keep American cichlids.
I didn't really wanna wait around to do. Fish less cycle and so I was lucky enough to get some filter media from a lfs. It's just some just used filter floss and it's a little brown. I'm hoping this will be all I nee to jump start the bacteria in my tank.
How long would the bacteria live with out any fish in the tank? As I mentioned I'll be getting a beta in a day or 2. Would adding a pinch or 2 of fish food every day be enough to keep the bacteria going. I don't have. Test kit at the moment. Am I on track here? Let me know if I missed something? Cheers
Click to expand...




Yes you are on the right track,but suggest letting filter cycle completely before adding the Betta.:)
 
I just filled the tank and added water conditioner. I the added the used filter wool and tipped in the brown water the media was in. My tank is now really cloudy (can't even see the black back ground) but slowly clearing, should be nice and clear by morning. I have really old fish food that is years out of date that came with the tank, could I use that to feed the bactiera? I should also mention I got the filter wool from the lad about 6 hrs and up until I just put it in the tank it was in a bucket with an air stone. Should all pretty much alive right?
 
Bigtdotcom said:
I just filled the tank and added water conditioner. I the added the used filter wool and tipped in the brown water the media was in. My tank is now really cloudy (can't even see the black back ground) but slowly clearing, should be nice and clear by morning. I have really old fish food that is years out of date that came with the tank, could I use that to feed the bactiera? I should also mention I got the filter wool from the lad about 6 hrs and up until I just put it in the tank it was in a bucket with an air stone. Should all pretty much alive right?
Click to expand...


Yes some bacteria on the floss will be alive, if the food is years outdated you could use a small piece of raw shrimp. Monitor your water parameters until the cycle is complete. :)
 
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