Keeping Filter Media Alive for a Month

[michelle504]

I'm getting a new fish tank in about a month (for birthday) because I'd love to get a Betta in a 5g to add to my tanks. A friend of mine has a 5g they no longer want and are selling once they sell their fish this weekend. I asked if I could have their media in order to establish my new 5g. They have black gravel which I would love to have in my new 5g, so I'd like to just use all of their gravel. Is there anyway I can keep the BB alive in the gravel and filter until I can get my tank and transfer the media to my new tank to cycle it? Maybe just add a couple of fish flakes once a week to keep ammonia up? And do a pwc maybe once every 2 weeks?

Also the filter is a Marineland Eclipse so the filter is laid flat which the water runs over and then goes through a biowheel. The tank I'm looking at getting has a Whisper 2-5 filter which is a vertical cartridge. Is there any way I can keep the BB on the filter alive and then somehow use the much larger media to cycle the new smaller one? Could I maybe cut the filter media out when I get my new tank and stuff it in front of the new?

Thanks!

[eco23]

A classic fishless cycle would be a great solution. Check out the guide in my signature .

[eco23]

Hang on, I might be mixed up...so you'll only have the filter and the gravel but no tank? If so, you could always use a large Tupperware container or something similar to simulate your tank and support the bacteria.

[michelle504]

Found out today that I can keep the tank for a month or two. So can I just feed the tank fish flakes?

[eco23]

Pure ammonia is best (see the guide), but adding fish food in a mesh bag or throwing in a couple (dead) shrimp works too.