Filter Media

[DP1981]

Hi guys

I am new here

Why does no-one want to help us?. I have phoned 3 shops today to ask for a little of their filter media.

I have just phoned one, and he said "The bacteria within the filter media is tank specific so would be no good for me"!!

I have no friends with tanks, so getting fed up now. Really want to kick start my cycle.

 

[weejen]

if you were closer i would offer you some. sorry. keep trying check the pinned topic there mite be someone in ur area willing to donate some to you

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=150631

 

[cooldude]

Or you can do a fishless cycle. It takes about 10 days in a planted tank.

See how I did this:

http/aquarium-setup.blogspot.com/

 

[DP1981]

Thanks very much, shame I am not closer.

We are doing a fishless cycle.

10 Days!! Very lucky

 

[OldMan47]

10 days is not a fishless cycle, it is the time it took for the plants to remove the first dose of ammonia (with no detectable nitrites). Without a serious jump start, the fishless will be at least 3 weeks and more often 4 to 6 weeks.

 

[Joinerlavin]

my fishless cycle took 2 months in a 10 gallon tank with 2 real plants. very frustrating

 

[Rooster]

Nottingham too far ?

 

[DP1981]

1.5hrs away, ummmmmmmmm very tempting lol

I will let you know Rooster if i have no luck, but thank you for being so kind. I assume you were offering some

my fishless cycle took 2 months in a 10 gallon tank with 2 real plants. very frustrating

2 months , oh my god, i will go insane

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, 2 months is very common, given a mistake or two like a pH crash. But there are benefits for beginners in getting a feel for their tank prior to fish and getting a solid knowledge of the nitrogen cycle, which is pretty helpful for the rest of the years you are in the hobby. Usually there will be years to come focusing on the fish and plants, whereas there is only this one short time to focus on this learning aspect of the water chemistry.

You might as well just try to get a fishless cycle started. Mature media can be added anywhere along the way if your able to obtain some and it will definately have a good chance of speeding the cycle from that point on.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes, 2 months is very common, given a mistake or two like a pH crash. But there are benefits for beginners in getting a feel for their tank prior to fish and getting a solid knowledge of the nitrogen cycle, which is pretty helpful for the rest of the years you are in the hobby. Usually there will be years to come focusing on the fish and plants, whereas there is only this one short time to focus on this learning aspect of the water chemistry.

You might as well just try to get a fishless cycle started. Mature media can be added anywhere along the way if your able to obtain some and it will definately have a good chance of speeding the cycle from that point on.

~~waterdrop~~

I agree with you WD!

It took me 7 weeks to just get my ammonia to zero...and then a couple more weeks to get my nitrite to zero!

Just keep with it...it is well worth it in the end!

[topic="100"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=276222[/topic]

-FHM