How Much Media Is Enough?

[Ron Jeremy]

So I'm a couple of days in to my new cycle.

Ammonia is holding a deep green so around 4-5 ppm. Had to do a water change as I spilled pva glue in the tank. Long story but it's all been scrubbed and I started again. Learned a lesson there, don't wanna talk about it. DIY isn't my strongest skill.

So, 7.8 ph.
0 nitrite and nitrate of course.
5ppm ammonia
Steady 27 degrees
Air bar making nice bubbles.

I have taken a bit of the poly filter from my fluval edge. About 3x3 inches and stuck it in my canister filter.

Will that help the bacteria growth in there? I can't get any more out really, it's gotta be better than nothing?

Before we ask, I made a lid for my aqua one 550 cube. Mdf painted satin black on top and I lined the inside with tinfoil. Great idea, big ol light reflector, keep heat in, water resistant.

But I stuck it to the Mdf with pva water based glue without thinking.

Lifted the lid off, all the condensation mixed with the glue and filled the tank with bloody pva.

Doh.

 

[fluttermoth]

It will help, yes. The bacteria expand quite quickly (I've heard they can double in 24 hours), once there's enough room and food for them to do so, so you should hopefully see a drop in the ammonia over the next few days.

As for your little 'mishap', well, we all do dumb things sometimes! As long as you've made sure all the PVA is out, then you'll be fine

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Yep all the pva is out. It was only a few drips thankfully, and the majority went on the brace bar. I've been online and ordered some Perspex sheet cut to fit exactly instead.

As for the bacteria, I'm hoping to see a drop in the ammonia now. I tested my edge for the first time ever yesterday. I bought it, used Some cycle fluid and thre the fish in. Did regular water changes and never lost a fish.

Since I started it in June last year, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and a tiny bit of nitrate. Happy with that