Moving Fry To New Tank - How Long To Cycle?

[JamesP]

Hi, I have a Juwel Rio 125 Tank with sand as a substrate and approx 20 fish (neons, tetras, platys and corys). Over the last few weeks we have gained approx 10 baby Platys which are now fairly large and am sure will all survive. I want to move these to a new smaller tank. Basically my question is, If I use the water and sand from my existing tank, how long to you think it will take for a new tank to cycle? There is no filter media as such with my Rio) so this cannot be transferred.

Thanks in Advance

 

[JamesP]

Anyone?

 

[Tolak]

Get a small sponge filter, and an air pump if you don't have one. Take some of the media, it doesn't have to be much, from the established filter & tie it to the sponge filter with a little fishing line. For 10 juvie platys this will give you enough bio filtration tho run the tank. I do it sometimes with gravel piled on top, I have never had sand for a substrate, so I can't tell you if it holds enough nitrifying bacteria.

Your water holds very little benificial bacteria, adding cycled tank water will do nothing.

 

[JamesP]

Get a small sponge filter, and an air pump if you don't have one. Take some of the media, it doesn't have to be much, from the established filter & tie it to the sponge filter with a little fishing line. For 10 juvie platys this will give you enough bio filtration tho run the tank. I do it sometimes with gravel piled on top, I have never had sand for a substrate, so I can't tell you if it holds enough nitrifying bacteria.

Your water holds very little benificial bacteria, adding cycled tank water will do nothing.

When you say take some of the media, what do you mean? In the Juwel filters there is just 4 filter sponges, all of which fit the Juwel filter perfectly. Are you saying take one of these sponges out and try to incoroporate it in the new (non-Juwel) tank?

Thanks

 

[thegnu]

hi,
if you live in the uk try filter start or in the states bio-spira these and others like it help your filters to mature. you just add the solution to the water basically. full instructions are provided and they are very good

 

[Irf]

When you say take some of the media, what do you mean? In the Juwel filters there is just 4 filter sponges, all of which fit the Juwel filter perfectly. Are you saying take one of these sponges out and try to incoroporate it in the new (non-Juwel) tank?

Thanks

The filter sponges are the media. That is where the beneficial bacteria live. So yes, take just one of the sponges out and modify it to fit you new setup. You can just cut it up to the shape you need.

Just in case you didn't know.....

Keep the sponge wet with water from your existing tank while you are working on it. Never wash the sponge out with tap water - you will kill the bacteria.

Irf.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

When you say take some of the media, what do you mean? In the Juwel filters there is just 4 filter sponges, all of which fit the Juwel filter perfectly. Are you saying take one of these sponges out and try to incoroporate it in the new (non-Juwel) tank?

Thanks

The filter sponges are the media. That is where the beneficial bacteria live. So yes, take just one of the sponges out and modify it to fit you new setup. You can just cut it up to the shape you need.

Just in case you didn't know.....

Keep the sponge wet with water from your existing tank while you are working on it. Never wash the sponge out with tap water - you will kill the bacteria.

Irf.

yup agreed, just cut/squish up the sponge to fit the new filter