Filter media

[crookedfish]

Would it be safe to use a bit of filter media from a pond to help the bacteria growth in my new filter? my local LFS wouldn't let me have any of theirs!!!

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Si

 

[kgrehm]

Seems to be that there isnt a problem with that if there are no diseased fish or anything in the pond. If they say you can stick soil from a plant in there i would say yest to media in a pond.

 

[crookedfish]

Thanks for the reply kgrehm, I thought as much.

This may be a really silly question, but what exactly do I transfer from the pond filter? A piece of the foam filter?

Thanks for the help

Si

 

[crookedfish]

Anyone?

 

[tstenback]

Yes the foam would be ideal as it will hold a good compliment of beneficial bacteria.

 

[crookedfish]

tstenback, thanks for the reply and sorry for all the questions, but what foam would I use? I have the course layer, medium layer and fine layer of foam, and then have the small pieces of corregated platic tubes.

The green stuff on the foam I am assuming that this is the bacteria. Is this correct?

The pond id crystal clear now thanks to the UV filter, but still have some blanket weed in the pond. Would this cause problems to the tank?

Thanks for all the help

Si

 

[tstenback]

I am not that familiar with Pond technology but if i remember the foam is physical filtration and the corregated plastic is for biological filtration. Although there will be bacteria at all levels of the system. Perhaps one of the people here that has more recent pond knowledge can give you a definite answer as to which you should include.
The blanket weed, i believe is filament algae and this can be a problem in any tank so just be cautious and try to ensure that you dont get much of this in your tank.

 

[crookedfish]

I thought that the corregated plastic is for biological filtration. All I need to know now is how to put these in the tank/get the bacteria into the filter.

Thanks again

Si

 

[tstenback]

what type filter do you have on your tank? will the pieces fit into one of the compartments?

 

[crookedfish]

I have a Fluval 3+ so the bits wont fit in any of the compartments of the filter. Could I just dangle them in the top of the tank, or bury them under the gravel?

Cheers

Si

 

[tstenback]

Dont bury them, just lay them in on the gravel. Make sure that you have an ammonia source in the tank before you add them or very shortly after you add them. Otherwise the bacteria they hold will die off. Good Luck.

 

[crookedfish]

Thanks for the info tstenback. I have 3 Zebra Danios in the tank. I have been keeping an eye on the water conditions, but I thought that it would help mature the filter a little quicker by putting some mature filter material into the tank. I will add it tonight.

Thanks

Si

Edited to say: How long should I leave the media in the tank?

 

[tstenback]

until your cycled.

 

[crookedfish]

Thanks for all the help tstenback. Sorry for all the question's but this fish stuff is all new to me.
Before I found this web site I had a green pond and had never thought about the chlorine in the tap water killing useful bacteria etc and thus I have been cleaning the filter using the hose pipe!!!!!!! But now cleaning the filter media in the pond water etc means that the water is crystal clear and the fish seem alot happier, maybe cos they can see where their going

Thanks

Si