New Tank Syndrome

Hi guys,

I've ordered a new 65l tank which will need to be cycled once I receive it. I've done my research regarding the nitrogen cycle, and I've learned that the quickest and most reliable way to cycle a new aquarium is to provide it with used filter media or other objects that harbor the beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone else who owns an aquarium and was wondering what the possibilites would be for someone on the forums to be able to help me out? I'm not sure how long the bacteria live out of the water of a heated tank - does anyone know?

Thank you!
x

Hi Thea.

Bacteria can live outside of a heated tank for a little while, for example a filter sponge in a plastic bag of tank water to keep it wet. I live about an hour from you, but the filters I use are all for smaller tanks, nothing fancy, just sponge filters attached to a tube, and my tanks I keep pretty scarce with gravel to make it easier to clean.
To do a fishless cycle, what you could do is use a bottle of Tetra SafeStart, which is live bacteria which attaches itself to your filter media, and then feed that bacteria to keep it alive so it cycles the tank. You can feed the bacteria using fish food (so it rots down and produces ammonia) or drops of pure ammonia.

Sorry I can't be of more help, if I kept big tanks I'd (in theory) have better filter material to give you, but my tanks are all small as I live in a small house hehe.

I could always give you some lovely water change water full of bacteria and odd bits and pieces from when I clean out my fish...mmm yummy! ;-)

Jess x

You could use some from your other bettas tank and put it in this tank but you will have to add small amounts of fish at a time. I wouldnt use any of the chemicals to cycle it from what ive heard they dont work at all and are just a waste of money.

Well, I invested in the Interpet New Aquarium Start Up Kit which comes with Fresh Start - a water conditioner which I've been using, and Filter Start which claims to contain "a bacteria culture, which helps rapidly start up the waste breakdown process in the filter."

It states that the tank should be dosed every other day for 2 weeks, whenever cleaning the filter and when introducing new fish. It also states that it should be dosed once a month for "optimum filter function". Does this mean the whole cycle becomes dependent on this one product? That's why I was hoping to get my hands on someone else's established bacteria colonies and do it that way.

Hmmm, i'm always a bit critical about those products, like the Nutrafin "Cycle" etc. The refrigerated ones have more of a chance of working, but the ones sitting on a shelf somewhere I can't see working (they never have for me)

I have 7 tanks running, 2 of which have large external filters, so could happily donate you some cycled media. Do you know what filter you will be getting? As I have cycled filter media from an Elite Stingray 15 that will by lying around once I take the filter down. I live in NW London, not far at all really.

That would be really generous of you! Regarding the filter, I honestly don't know, I'm such a newbie when it comes to aquariums ): I purchased a 65l Hailea aquarium but when it was delivered just over a week ago the glass at the back was completely shattered. So I'm waiting for the seller to restock them and send me a new one. Shouldn't be longer than a week, he said, so fingers crossed! I still have the broken one in its box at the moment and I think the filter is in its own box inside the tank - I think it's an internal filter though. I'll have to carefully pluck it out and check in the morning as it's a bit too late to shift around big boxes with everyone asleep, lol.

Thank you!
x

No worries

If you let me know what filter it is then I can select the best-sized pieces of media from my filters, so that they'll fit properly

Wow, you're so lovely, thank you!

Here are the details:

Hailea HL-BT400 filter

Size: 110x82x207mm

Hmm I can't find any pictures on it that show the insides, silly internet.

When you open up the filter, are the sponges long and flat-ish or more square and chubby?

I'm sure you can cut down some of my sponges to fit anyway

Looks square and chubby, lol, this might help:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

And that's my black kitty sleeping in the back, hehe leaves so much black fur on my bed

Oh! I forgot to say, I'm going to be buying a 26l for my brother's room - unfortunately, I decided to switch my fish from the two crowntail girls to one of his dragon plakats since I was really stupid and didn't read up on this whole kind of pecking order business amongst female Betta fish *fail* and I obviously don't have a set up readily available for more than 2 fish. Anyway, the tank is 26l - should be enough for the one Betta boy, right? Just mentioning it since I'll be needing to cycle that one too! I've currently got Dorian in a 12l and doing 10%-15% water changes every other day, with the water sitting comfortably at 75, but I'd much prefer to see him in that 65l..just hoping I'll have some sign of it coming soon. I was absolutely gutted to find the first one smashed when it arrived.

Right that filter media pic helpd a lot thanks i know what bits i've got that will fit it now

26l is fine for a boy so what are your girls in now? keep an eye on them as only 2 can be a bit dodgy if they decide to bully each other. Maybe put some nice big plants in there for the time being, so their line of sight is broken

Ohh, I meant that I switched the 2 females for one of his dragon plakat males. I explained to the seller (very apologetically) that I was pretty silly and hadn't done my research properly. I assumed that females got on well since a lot of people make general comments about them being peaceful with perhaps the occasional bully. I hadn't realised that you needed at least 3 (and something about ideally 6) in order to ensure that any aggression will be spread out.

Anyway, he gladly told me he'd send me the male instead. As much as I'd love to take the females I refuse to if I can't offer the best quality care, it wouldn't be fair. He also made no indication to reassure me that they got on fine as a duo, so I really think it's for the best that I decided to switch.

What would be the best way of getting the sponge from you? I don't have a car I could perhaps take the train, but I don't know if it would just be easier for you to mail it in a wet ziploc bag? - I'll obviously pay you for the P&P and a little extra for the trouble!

LOL oh I see, having a blonde moment you made the right decision I think, females can be tricky - one minute they're ok and the next they're having a wrestling match

Err I think it'd be best if I meet you somewhere rather than posting, media doesn't do well past a few hours out of circulating water. I don't drive either (realllly should). I shall PM you in a sec