Filter Media?

[scappaflow]

I have recently set up my 1st tropical tank and it currently has plants, rocks, heater, sand and a filter running.

I am intending on getting my water tested on Sunday to see how suitable it is for fish.

However, my cousin has a set up but is currently emptying his tank as he is moving away for a year or so. He has about a dozen or Mbuna's in a pretty large aquarium.

Although he has offered me his fish, I have said no as I don't really want Mbuna's as my 1st fish and my tank would be too small for even a few of them - and they really should be kept in larger groups and tanks etc.

However, would I be able to use some of his bacteria in order to speed up my tanks progress? What would this involve? I hear filter media being mentioned... is this basically the foam from inside the filter? Or something else. Would some water from his aquarium help to get mine going?

I know that Mbuna's prefer a higher PH, and am pretty sure he will have coral in his aquarium - would this make his bacteria/water completely unsuitable or is it as they say 'every little helps'?

I am going to 1st introduce some Tetra's into my aquarium, so obviously their needs would differ from Mbuna's.

I am aware there are many differing opinions on here about how precise cycling has to be and what would be suitable for various fish but if anyone wants to share their's I would be more than happy to take these on board.

Thanks

Edit to add - I am aware I also need an air pump which I am going to get before I put fish in.

 

[evilchild]

yeah use the inners of your cousin filter (sponge or what ever is in side) that has all the stuff you need to kick start your tank, don't worry about the water it won't do to much for you. If you do use the old media you will need to add fish to your tank quite quickly as the good stuff in the media will die off, as it will have nothing to feed off.

also you will need to keep it wet, dont let it dry out or it will be useless, keep it wet with the some of the old tank water from cousin. never use untreaded tap water this too is very bad, always tread your tap water with some kind of de-chloroater. (sorry for the spelling)

hope that helps a little

 

[Spooky76]

As evil child said...
use the media from his tank, but again keep it wet and warm and be very very quick with it. Get it in your filter and fish at the same time.
Dont bother getting your water checked...if theres nothing in the tank there wont be anything in the water.....

If your LFS told you that, they are telling porkie pies. Your filter needs the ammonia a fish produces to grow the bacteria, which is turned into Nitrite (Still bad for fishies) and then into Nitrate.

If you dont have a freshwater test kit, buy one, they cost about £20 but last ages and will save your fishies.

Also as said, dont ever let tap water (without being treated first) come into contact with your tank or filter etc.

If ever your unsure post back any questions, no matter how silly you think they are.

Also - dont just add the fish into your tank, put them in a bag with lots of their old water, float the bag in your tank with lights off for 20 mins ish, then add your tank water slowly, over 30 - 40 mins until most of the water in the bag is yours from your new tank. Then NET the fish out and into your tank quickly. Never add someone elses water to your tank, even if you know them, its not worth it. Keep the lights off for a good 6 - 12 hours after adding the new fish and dont feed for 24 hours. Your fish will be fine for that time without food.

Good luck !!

 

[scappaflow]

yeah use the inners of your cousin filter (sponge or what ever is in side) that has all the stuff you need to kick start your tank, don't worry about the water it won't do to much for you. If you do use the old media you will need to add fish to your tank quite quickly as the good stuff in the media will die off, as it will have nothing to feed off.

also you will need to keep it wet, dont let it dry out or it will be useless, keep it wet with the some of the old tank water from cousin. never use untreaded tap water this too is very bad, always tread your tap water with some kind of de-chloroater. (sorry for the spelling)

hope that helps a little

Thanks - that's the kind of answer I was hoping for.

I am seeing him tonight so will hopefully get some filter media from him and add it to mine. Then hopefully introduce some fish Sat / Sun.

Yes - have treated the tank with de-chlorinator.

 

[Spooky76]

NO !!! Dont do that..Read my earlier post.... Only put HIS media in YOUR tank when you put fish in your tank at the same time....otherwise its useless the bacteria in the media will DIE without the ammonia from the fish, and they die very very quickly. You will lose alot just transporting the media, depending on distance.

 

[scappaflow]

As evil child said...
use the media from his tank, but again keep it wet and warm and be very very quick with it. Get it in your filter and fish at the same time.
Dont bother getting your water checked...if theres nothing in the tank there wont be anything in the water.....

If your LFS told you that, they are telling porkie pies. Your filter needs the ammonia a fish produces to grow the bacteria, which is turned into Nitrite (Still bad for fishies) and then into Nitrate.

If you dont have a freshwater test kit, buy one, they cost about £20 but last ages and will save your fishies.

Also as said, dont ever let tap water (without being treated first) come into contact with your tank or filter etc.

If ever your unsure post back any questions, no matter how silly you think they are.

Also - dont just add the fish into your tank, put them in a bag with lots of their old water, float the bag in your tank with lights off for 20 mins ish, then add your tank water slowly, over 30 - 40 mins until most of the water in the bag is yours from your new tank. Then NET the fish out and into your tank quickly. Never add someone elses water to your tank, even if you know them, its not worth it. Keep the lights off for a good 6 - 12 hours after adding the new fish and dont feed for 24 hours. Your fish will be fine for that time without food.

Good luck !!

Thanks again. Ok - I will not get the filter media tonight but will wait till I am getting fish for it.

There was a pack with my tank with a few chemicals which the LFS said would help the process. I am aware that some people are of the opinion that these are useless, but hey ho.

Thanks for the tips about how to add fish. Was aware that it was good to leave the bag in the tank but will follow advice about lighting and food etc. Intend on getting 8 neons to start with.

 

[Spooky76]

No worries

Neons are OK - they arent 'that' hardy though. Red eyes and such are a bit more hardy, but im sure they will be fine.
The chemicals are 'ok' im not sure how good they are, but they wont do any harm.
Good luck

 

[scappaflow]

No worries

Neons are OK - they arent 'that' hardy though. Red eyes and such are a bit more hardy, but im sure they will be fine.
The chemicals are 'ok' im not sure how good they are, but they wont do any harm.
Good luck

Thanks, will bear that in mind.

Have been told, rather ruthlessly, that as Neon's are not hardy and pretty cheap I should introduce them 1st in the knowledge that if they survived ok then the set up would be fine.

 

[Spooky76]

Erm...alot of people on here would get failry annoyed at that. Fish are still living animals in your care....
They dont have to die though. If you change your water often initially, maybe every other day for a week, about 20% it will help. But with you using matured media you might be OK.

Alot of people also think like you do, even fish shops tell people that....its not nice though and if the fish die...your filter bacteria dies so it doesnt help you. You need to keep them alive, that way your filter bacteria grow and grow and you can add more fish slowly once it all settles down after 2/3 weeks.

Personally I think its cruel to do it, but ultimately thats your decision.

 

[scappaflow]

Erm...alot of people on here would get failry annoyed at that. Fish are still living animals in your care....
They dont have to die though. If you change your water often initially, maybe every other day for a week, about 20% it will help. But with you using matured media you might be OK.

Alot of people also think like you do, even fish shops tell people that....its not nice though and if the fish die...your filter bacteria dies so it doesnt help you. You need to keep them alive, that way your filter bacteria grow and grow and you can add more fish slowly once it all settles down after 2/3 weeks.

Personally I think its cruel to do it, but ultimately thats your decision.

Yes - I agree that it is cruel and want to make sure my tank is as suitable as possbile.
Although I still like Neon's and wouldn't have got them for his ruthless reasoning alone.

No doubt some will die along the way, but if they do it will not be through a lack of effort from me.

Also - on changing the water. Will this not cause the temperature to drop? Water from the tap is pretty much straight from the hillside up here (it is decent water, that aint been treated too much) but will fish cope with the temperature drop for a short time?

 

[evilchild]

try to match the temp of your tank by add warm/hot water, dosn't matter if it a little warmer not boiling but warm, better warmer than colder

 

[scappaflow]

try to match the temp of your tank by add warm/hot water, dosn't matter if it a little warmer not boiling but warm, better warmer than colder

Thanks once again.

 

[Spooky76]

Yip.
Also dont use warm water from the tap...use boiling from the kettle to add to your tap water, to get it about right first. For the ammount you change per week it wont make that much difference, but its good to try and match it.

 

[vinylman]

Please don't add any Neons until the tank has matured for at least three months; they're very sensitive fish and there will always be Neon Tetra Disease to worry about. Try to get something hardy like Black Neon Tetras and ask the shop if you can part exchange them for some Neons later on.

 

[tquarter]

Hi all ... first post after lurking for a while.

I'm new to all this and am due to pick up my tank tomorrow and start the fishless cycle next week.

If used media were to be introduced to a new tank could you use ammonia to keep the bacteria alive and continue to cycle until the water becomes stable or do you have to use fish? Sorry if it seems obvious - lots of research done but still learning.

Thanks
Tracey