Starting Over

[andyboy!!]

I'm starting over with my tank, after nearly a year and a half. I've recently had a bit of a disaster due to an intermittent faulty filter.

Anyway, I'm going to drain the tank. I have one survivor - a little danio - who willbe going on 'holiday' in my uncles tank.

Firstly, is it best to salt everything or just give it a good wash?

Another - and main - question is, once I have set it up and everything is running, is it ok to leave it as-is for a few days or even a week. I will dechloronate the water but not start the cycling off or add 'good' bacteria. It may be a stupid question but can you leave it running like that for that long.

Cheers
Andy.

 

[dthoffsett]

A good wash is all you need. If you are worried about any bad bacteria survivng, you could always clean it with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 19 parts water.)

As long as you have the filter running, you can leave the tank indefinately before starting your cycle. Having the filter running will keep the water from going stagnant.

 

[darkleo]

The bacteria will also start developing whilst the filter is running.

 

[Yazan]

The bacteria will also start developing whilst the filter is running.

Is that true? How can bacteria develop without cycling?

 

[dthoffsett]

The bacteria will also start developing whilst the filter is running.

Without a food source (ammonia), bacteria doesn't multiply. However, it is always present in minute quantities, just not enought to support fish. That's why we cycle.

 

[andyboy!!]

Cheers everyone.

Can you leave it running indefinately even if it has plants in, I suppose they will need a water change to replenish nutrients eventually?

Ta
Andy.

 

[rsands]

you could add plant nutrient solutions to the tank to help mantain the ones they need. but just running a filter with no fish in it or ammonia source is going to do no good...it only makes the water look clean. you need to keep ammonia going into the tank