Benificial Bacteria Build Up

[1234-fishy-freind]

Hi guys.
I was just wonering how long it takes for the benificial bacteria in internal filters to build up. I have just bought a new internal for my quarentine tank. It is currently running in my main display so the bacteria can build up.

I was just wondering how long it will take untill it has enough so it can be ran in a 10galon tank with 3 fish. The tank it is running in is a 90UK gallon with 8 fish in.

thanks

josh

 

[seffieuk]

At a guess at least 3/4 weeks but you will also be building the stuff you don't want like nitrates - why not just stick a cured piece of live rock in from your main display tank?

Seffie x

 

[AdAndrews]

sorry to interupt, but do "live rock rubble" that you can put in your filters remove nitrate as would live rock or not?

 

[seffieuk]

sorry to interupt, but do "live rock rubble" that you can put in your filters remove nitrate as would live rock or not?

yes live rock rubble helps to filter your water

Seffie x

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I will be putting some LR in from my display. The pump is to provide both water movment and air, as well as parform mechanical filtration.

I didn't know that nitrates actualy build up inside the filter though....



josh

 

[seffieuk]

I didn't know that nitrates actualy build up inside the filter though....

josh

They do indeed if not kept very clean, needs cleaning out every week, thats why you wont really get any beneficial bacteria in there, better to put in lr rubble

Seffie x

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

Oh right.

I think I will still run it to add oxygen.
However, I did have a little thought earlier. MY UV has an external filter attached to pump the water round it. I will put the UV on the quarentine as usual, but will fill the empty filter with rubble.

Do you think 3-4kg of LR, the internal, UV, external with LR rubble, will suffice for a 10gallon for 2 weeks with 3 fish in?

josh

 

[seffieuk]

Oh right.

I think I will still run it to add oxygen.
However, I did have a little thought earlier. MY UV has an external filter attached to pump the water round it. I will put the UV on the quarentine as usual, but will fill the empty filter with rubble.

Do you think 3-4kg of LR, the internal, UV, external with LR rubble, will suffice for a 10gallon for 2 weeks with 3 fish in?

josh

five kg would be ideal if you can push to that

then you will need at least 10 x flow so, 45.5 litres x 10 = 455 litres an hour

A koralia nano would give you 900 litres an hour, so more than enough, would also give you the surface agitation you need if pointed upwards, all for about £17 and it is always handy to have a spare koralia - you could probably even find a second hand one. or you could do as you suggested, run the external with lr rubble (litres per hour?), what is the internal (and how much lph?)

Seffie x

hope that helps

seffie x

 

[1234-fishy-freind]

I can get 680lph with my internal filter and the external added together.
I will try get 5kg of lr in since my tank display has more than enough rock in it and no one really sees it so it doesnt matter what it looks like, plus I can get 30%off lr at work.

cheers seffieuk, cant wait to get my favorite fish at last.

 

[seffieuk]

I'm looking forward to the photos

Seffie x