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Post by Jess Puff on Jan 6, 2012 11:02:31 GMT -6
Warning... might be a stupid question!
How long does it typically take to thoroughly seed a new filter? I have one that is hanging on the front of a well established tank and I'm just curious how long it typically takes to seed.
Thanks!
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Post by ree123 on Jan 6, 2012 11:11:28 GMT -6
Depends in part on the establishment of the tank itself. If the tank is a relatively new set up, then the time is extended a bit, but most times it takes from 2 to 6 weeks.
You might see clearing or balance in 2 weeks, but most times the seeding is not complete then, and takes longer to complete the full cycle.
I can place a new sponge filter into an established tank for 2 weeks and it is good for moving to a new tank, although, like I said, I know the seeding is not complete. This process works well for me.
Others may differ with me though.
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Post by ree123 on Jan 6, 2012 11:13:57 GMT -6
There ain't no stupid questions !!!!!!!!!!!!! Only unknown questions that need to be asked !!!!!!!!!!!!! I tell my students this all the time.  |
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Post by crazydaz on Jan 6, 2012 16:45:39 GMT -6
When I had multiple tanks, I would take two of the used filter pads and put them into the new filter on the new tank. I would also try to add a little mulm to the new substrate as well. I was probably ready to fully stock within a week or two with a pretty well established system in the newer tank. I think that it would be faster to seed a new tank using mulm, old filter pads in a new filter, and adding water from a current, aged tank into a new tank rather than seeding a new filter. That's just my opinion, of course!  Have you thought about doing that instead? Probably would be much faster for you to get a new system fully aged. |
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Post by rickl on Jan 9, 2012 14:30:14 GMT -6
I prefer to fishless cycle when seeding (or when not seeding, for that matter). That way when I move either the "cycled" filter, or seed a new filter with media from the old one, I can ensure that the whole system is up to snuff before adding fish. Waiting accomplishes nothing unless you add a source of ammonia (be it fish, decaying matter, or daily drops of an ammonia solution). If you start with a tank full of clean water (before adding the filter) you can figure out how much ammonia will take you to your desired level (preferably <5ppm). Then you can monitor the ammonia levels and know how much of your ammonia solution to add to bring it back up to whatever your target capacity is -- eventually it will go from that level to zero in 24 hours, and bingo! The ammonia cycle is done. Still gotta do nitrite of course lol but that will likely follow in short order if you seeded the tank. I wouldn't do any water changes until the ammonia cycle is done, but once that's done I'd keep feeding ammonia and do water changes to keep the nitrites under control.
-Rick
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Post by crazydaz on Jan 9, 2012 18:26:12 GMT -6
Rick....could you explain that to me, again? Perhaps I am the one that is stupid. How can you cycle a tank without a source of ammonia for the nitrifying bacteria to "feed" upon? Wouldn't sticking an aged filter into a new tank without fish, mulm, etc. simply cause said bacteria to start dying off leading to a "sterile" filter?? Perhaps I am reading this wrong??
I Karma'd you because I am interested in this idea....never heard of a fishless cycle before. I don't get out much, though.
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Post by crazydaz on Jan 9, 2012 22:40:20 GMT -6
as in pure cleaning ammonia, NH4?! Huh! I've never heard of that before.....it makes sense, though. Not sure that I could handle the smell! Thanks for the clarification!
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Post by Jess Puff on Jan 10, 2012 8:46:18 GMT -6
Mark has done this before and he told me to try it out. I'm just lazy and hate having to test.
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Have you thought about doing that instead? Probably would be much faster for you to get a new system fully aged.