Media And Instant Cycling

[Blondie_Kate]

Hi all,

Right i have at home a mature tank with the following:

2 cory's
5 neon tetras
3 black tetras
6 black widow tetras

its has been set up and working for months and months now and have a very gunky filter.

i plan on getting a betta in a 16L tank and have a new mini filter and mini heater turning up soon.

the aquarium said to remove some media into the new filter and add a few of the black widows to the tank to cyclkes for 2 weeksna dnt ehn remove then and add the better.
a different person has told me that adding media will cycle the tank straight away. obviusly i dont want to stress any fish so anyone got any experience with this?

thanks xx

 

[lilacamy931]

Well from the advice given to me and what I have experienced. If you replace as much filter media in the new filter as possible this should be known as cloning and you may only go through what is known as a mini cycle. You can test it with fish from your other tank if so wish, keeping a close eye on tank readings etc. But with this method it is important to keep the bacteria alive.

Alternatively you can do this and feed the bacteria with ammonia each day rather than use fish, no fish will be stressed and you can make absolutely certain that the cycle is complete.

1) clone the filter and add fish straight away - be prepared for mini cycle though may be fine
2) clonn filter and add ammonia daily to ensure cycle fully prepared

there are probably other options, but if cloning these will be the two

I am no expert but hope this helps.

With my filter I replace part and had a mini cycle for a week (with fish in, it was an emergency) with my other tank cloned coompletely and had a mini spike for a day and all great since.

 

[Blondie_Kate]

problem is i cant afford a testing kit (and i also dont trust myself to take correct readings, im a worrier) and i dont have the ability to get it checked each day

 

[frida]

Hi,
I think you really need to get a test kit. I think checking the water is the only way you can be sure the water is safe for your fishes. It's part of the cost of keeping them.
You can get a test kit for £19: [URL="http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...est-p-1091.html"]http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/cat...est-p-1091.html[/URL]
I hope you can afford it! I think that's one of the cheaper places to get a test kit from.

Edit: just reread your recent post and see you said you don't trust yourself to take correct readings - I think it's just a matter of practice so you should be fine. You can always post pictures here and people can help you. If you're a worrier, it's probably best to be checking the water parameters from time to time otherwise your fish might be quietly suffering!