Using Mulm to Cycle

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

ThaDude

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 11, 2009
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It's a 10 Gallon tank with a Topfin60 attached to it.

I have some smaller convicts in there to help add ammonia while cycling
(No non-surfacant ammonia available locally.)

I cleaned out an AquaClear20's filter media in the tank.
(The sponge, Carbon Bag & BB-Media)

Was this a bad move? The filter's media was disgusting, & the TopFin60 is brand new.

I included a pic of what the 10 gal looked like before -
Here's some pics of what the 10 gal currently looks like.

frytank2.jpg

mulm1.jpg

mulm2.jpg

mulm3.jpg
 
I don't think the mulm would help as much as biomedia or substrate containing the bacteria's biofilm. The mulm might actually be counterproductive if it still contains decomposing detritus.

I also don't think you should let your filter media get that dirty in the first place.

You'll probably have to do a bunch of water changes on that tank so that debris will be removed soon.
 
Now that it's all settled I'm going to siphon the layer of mulm off the bottom.

I did not use any live plants in the tank the mulm came from.
 
Here's a pic of the tank now, I siphoned most of the crap out.
The water seems pretty clear & good looking. I have yet to test the params..
 
I would have suggested you put the mature AC 20 on the new 10 gal... and the new Top Fin 60 on the mature tank...

While sponges are not typically labeled "bio media" bacteria cannot read and will grow on it anyway. Chances are you successfully 'seeded' your new 10 gal with both types of bacteria needed to get your cycle established...

With such a tiny bio load (few small convicts) it shouldn't be long at all until the tank is "fully cycled"...

Just do your part to make sure the ammonia/nitrites do not get to high while you are waiting for things to balance out...
 
That's how I do it when setting up a new tank. Ya, looks disgusting for a couple of days, but you'll be gtg after a couple of water changes.
 
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