Using my bio. bateria to help a friend...

[pnyklr3]

I am helping a friend set up her very first tank, and I would like to give her some gravel from my mature tank to jump start her tank. What is the best way to transport it (she lives a bit far from me)? Can I just put some gravel and tank water in a container and send her on her way? Also, I have heard about rinsing my filter media in tank water and then pouring that over the new media. Does this work effectively?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

~Jade

 

[clutterydrawer]

Transport it in a sealed container with plenty of air and enough water to keep it wet. How far away does she live?

Do NOT carry it on the bus in an open topped bucket. I did this, the bucket tipped over, gravel and water everywhere, I didn't dare travel by bus for the next month!

 

[pnyklr3]

She lives almost 2 hours away. Will this be too long? I thought it would be ok, so I hope I'm right


~Jade

 

[clutterydrawer]

I'd think it would be but I'm not a bacteria-life-expectancy-expert.

 

[babyfish]

Take out some tank water and rinse your filter material in it...use this to transport the gravel in....leave a gap of about 4 inches between the water and lid.

When your friend gets home they should half fill thier tank with water(dechlorinated) and then add the gravel....use the water to soak thier filter material and then add what's left to the tank.....Fish will need to be added immedietly to keep the bacteria alive... the tank will still go through a mini cycle but it will be quicker.