cycling ques

[krap101]

can u cycle before you get a filter?

 

[krap101]

im gonna bump myself if you can

 

[QTOFFER]

I don't think so because without a filter in place,

1 the water would stagnate and become O2 depleted - the good bacteria are aerobic and need O2.

2 the good bacteria would not have enough surface area on which to colonize - much of your good bacteria reside in the filter media.

3 The water would get really skunky - this would lead to the overgrowth of algae and anaerobic bacteria that would out-compete the good bacteria for surface area and nutrients.

So, what's up - you got the tank, but not the filter yet and were hoping to get a jump start on the cycling process?

 

[krap101]

yeah cuz i wont b able to get it for another couple of days and just wondering

 

[QTOFFER]

Yup, I hear you - nice new tank with all that empty water just sitting there...waiting...
LOL, if I learned one thing from three months of fishkeeping, it's patience!

 

[Enki]

I have seen this saying around a couple places:

'only bad things happen fast'

 

[krap101]

i hear ya that sounds reasonable

'only bad things happen fast'

 

[krap101]

hey i was wondering can u cycle with a biowheel since it takes out ammonia outta the water will it hinder my cycling?? should i move my old filter to my 10 gallon and move the bio wheel to my 5 gallon?? im confused

 

[krap101]

does biospira really work?? If so... how much fasterf is cycling

 

[Enki]

The biowheel takes out ammonia by giving the bacteria a nice place to live with lots of surfaces and air. So yes you can cycle with a biowheel.

Everything I have heard about bio-spira makes me believe it works as long as the batch you get is good and hasn't spoiled/died.

I haven't tried it though, I did fishless with ammonia, it worked well and I learned a lot about the bacteria.

The bacteria in your tank are perhaps the most important member of your tank community. the whole tank could die if something happens to your bacteria colony.

I recommend reading up about nitrifying bacteria and bio-film as much as you would read up on a species of fish you plan to keep.

 

[LAGlocker]

I have used Bio-spira, loved it, even if it does cost more. I filled one tank, put in the bio-spira and fish in at the same time. Took a few days to get everything cycled right, but I would say my tank was completely cycled in less than 2 weeks. Of course this has been a while since I set a tank up with it, so I may be off a little on the time frame.

 

[ScottS]

hey i was wondering can u cycle with a biowheel since it takes out ammonia outta the water will it hinder my cycling?? should i move my old filter to my 10 gallon and move the bio wheel to my 5 gallon?? im confused

Please don't take offense, but if you have to ask that, you really need to spend some more time search the "Getting Started" section for "cycling." There are 236 threads that will answer all of your questions. Fully understanding the "cycling" process will help immensely.

It seems you have bits of good information, such as transferring a filter over from an established tank, but because you don't apparently understand the cycle, you're ending up confused on many levels.

Read these,
http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Cycle.htm
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=113
http://www.bbpetstop.com/The aquarium cycle.pdf
then start searching:http://www.aquariumadvice.com/search.php

 

[krap101]

i know how 2 cycle i just dun want anythin bad 2 happen like my tank not cycling cuz my filter but now that thats taken care of