Biorb 30l Question?

[ecro83]

I bought my biorb 30L tank 3 weeks ago, i left the filter on for 2 weeks and then while i went on holiday i switched the filter off before leaving! I have now returned from my holiday and i switched my filter back on and also the heater. The water has reached the correct temperature, however have i ruined the water by switching the filter off while i was away or am i ok to add a fish?

 

[WILDER]

Does the water smell horrible with turning all your equipment off.
What fish are you thinking of keeping in the biorb as there not that many fish you can keep in them.

 

[shelaghfishface]

hia
just found ur thread, did u do it??( water change and add your first fish) love to know how your getting on

shelagh xxxx

 

[mark.w.jones]

How have you cycled your tank in preparation for your fish? Leaving it running and adding a "bacteria in a bottle" product will not necessarily have done much.

I have cycled one of these tanks by putting some ceramic media from a mature tank in the section under the sponge. I then squeezed a sponge from a mature tank over the sponge in the Biorb + put a pair of tights with a large (apple sized) amount of gravel from the mature tank into the water. We then added just 3 platies as these are hardy and would survive any spikes in ammonia or nitrite. After 3 weeks with these in we added another 2 fish. Left those for 2 weeks. Then another 2 and so on until fully stocked. This is not a fishless cycle but using all the matured media means that ammonia / nitrite levels were kept at a minimum to avoid damaging any of the fish.