What do you think about my media switch.

[nfored]

So I have enough media as of today to filter my tank. But I grow increasingly worried about it as my fish grow; I have a mix of lave rock and ceramic.


My thought was to setup a trash can with water heater and power head and 6L of bio matrix. Then do a fishless cycle until the unit is processing 5ppm per day of ammonia. I was thinking that at this level of processing it could simply be switched with my current filter.

I thought my tank was right on the level for being moderatly stocked, but I am adding two more fish this weekend. So want to make sure I have room to grow.


Edit: I think its the ppm per day that matter more then the tank size right? the media doesn't honestly care about how much water passes through just how much waste it has to consume right?

 

[pjsmetana]

... the media doesn't honestly care about how much water passes through just how much waste it has to consume right?

Flow rate matters too. Theoretically, a slower rate of flow could result in the BB consuming more per gallon than that of a faster rate.

Understand also, as your fish get bigger, you feed them less often, so they usually will produce less waste when full grown.

 

[nfored]

So I should simulate the same flow and filter style as my current setup? Make an over had filter that has the same or faster flow rate.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Understand also, as your fish get bigger, you feed them less often, so they usually will produce less waste when full grown.

Where did that come from?

I grow increasingly worried about it as my fish grow

Have you tested your water lately?
Is your system processing the ammonia now?
You might not have a problem, just a worry.
The bacteria will grow in relation to the amount of food available.

 

[suds1421]

What you posted in your original post will work... realize that ppm is relative to the amount of water present, this is what water changes work... If your tank is 50 gallons and you setup a 25 gallon tub, 5ppm in the tub = 2.5ppm in the tank...

I fishlessly cycled my filters (only the filters) on a 25 gallon tub... I kept bumping up the ppm till I got it off the charts on my kit (greater than 6ppm, was probably closer to 7)...

Your media will be good to go but I would still switch it out slowly, like 1/4 at a time.

 

[nfored]

Understand also, as your fish get bigger, you feed them less often, so they usually will produce less waste when full grown.

Where did that come from?

I grow increasingly worried about it as my fish grow

Have you tested your water lately?
Is your system processing the ammonia now?
You might not have a problem, just a worry.
The bacteria will grow in relation to the amount of food available.

I have well i can only test ammonia nitrite is expired but ammonia is 0 I am pretty confedent nitrite is also 0. I just worry about it because I just got two new fish P.polleni So that puts 9 fish that have the ability to get 9" plus 3 more that get 6"

What you posted in your original post will work... realize that ppm is relative to the amount of water present, this is what water changes work... If your tank is 50 gallons and you setup a 25 gallon tub, 5ppm in the tub = 2.5ppm in the tank...

I fishlessly cycled my filters (only the filters) on a 25 gallon tub... I kept bumping up the ppm till I got it off the charts on my kit (greater than 6ppm, was probably closer to 7)...

Your media will be good to go but I would still switch it out slowly, like 1/4 at a time.

Okay so then I guess the best option is to find some place I can put my 500 gallon and use that to cycle the media.

Thanks for the help

Also I doubt my fish eat less when they get bigger my dogs surely eat more the bigger they get.