Cycling tank for planting when back from holiday

First of all, I have zero experience with planted tanks, although i have kept (and killed) a couple of fish in my younger days. But nothing major. Now I'm keen to try a planted tank.

We're going on holiday to the coast on Friday, and a colleague is giving me his kids old tank setup which i will be receiving tomorrow. That gives me half an evening to get everything set up so cycling can start while we're away. Now, i was thinking, i would LOVE to get everything ready to get some plants in before we go but i just don't have enough time. So i can get all the bits and bobs plugged in and switched on, chuck in a flake or two and hope everything is in good order when I get back in two weeks. Then transfer the water to a bucket and setup my substrate etc, add my plants, and then put the water back in there. Am I being optimistic with this? It's a smallish tank but what the hell. I'll prove myself with this first and hopefully the husband will let me get a bigger tank later.

I am aiming at putting some guppies in there later on for my daughter, but that has now become a secondary concern for me.

 

It is possible. Get some bio filter materials like ceramic rings or Seachem Matix before you go and chuck that in.
That way you have the bacteria growing on the bio filter materials with your water.

Also some cycle/bio booster if you can to just jump start the cycle.

What subs are you going with?

And he will give in.
My wife was the same way when I started.

 

Haha you sneak! I'm still sending you a link in the other thread and here you are already!

regarding the subs.. um. no idea yet. Will have to do research and shopping when i get back from the coast.
I like the black look though. Not sure if that's a bit cliche? who cares haha.

I wont be able to get to a petshop before we leave, so will just have to get the filter media and the rest when i get back.

So starting the process now without any of those things probably wont make a dent in the cycle time then will it?

 

Though in some garden rocks, And that will then become part of your scape when back.
Most of use use black subs. LOL

 

Rather wait out the 2 weeks. See if you can pinch established media from anyone to get the filter going when you get back.

I keep lots of extra expanded clay in my goldfish canister outside, I'm using that to set up tanks quickly, I'll have 5 in ky room by the start of the holiday
Cycles can be established quickly with stuff like Seachem Stability (worked well for me) and so on, but don't hold well without fish. If you were close I would give you my last guppy, they are pretty useless to start since the other 4 died within 2 weeks. One within hours of acclimation

I would also stay with floating stuff like hornwort, or plants that can be tied on wood or rocks like java fern. My elodea is working best and also anchors into substrate and has made a lush forest in my 60 litre

 

On 2nd thought.
Hold on till you come back.

 

Dammit. OK. Thanks you guys.

 

Getting some Java Fern and filter media from a friend tonight. will let it sit in a baggie overnight and fire up the tank tomorrow! Celebrations!!
Hope the plant doesn't see its backside after two weeks with no co2 though?

 

Should be fine, do you have lighting?
If not it not a train smash.

The single most important tip I can give you.

Fish tanks takes time and does not happen over night. (Unless your a pro with millions in the bank) Then it still take a month +. LOL.
From getting all the equipment and nice to haves, to seeing your scape mature. It all takes time.

So be patient

 

Without filter media and substrate you can cycle all you want, to almost no effect.
The beneficial bacteria you want grows in the substrate and filter media, and very little is in the water.

As you aren't going to be able to go to a LFS before leaving for your holiday, I would put off the starting of the tank until you return.

A tank can be cycled quite rapidly when using something like Seachem Stability or Micro-be-Lift.
Anything that adds beneficial bacteria to your tank could also work.
A spare sponge filter, some substrate or filter media that has been in a matured tank for a while will kick-start the process.

 

Since your close to where I stay, i can start filtering some bio media for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Argh! Just got back from his house and only seeing the bits about the substrate now. Damn and damn!

This is what i got from them: filthy icky filter insides, a ball of moss that may or may not contain some shrimps and snails, some java fern and enough dechlorinator to start up. The moss ball was lying in the bottom of the tank so might be some ickiness stuck in there.
Only getting the tank tomorrow so ive got everything in ziplocks for the night.
Think i should be fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

@DerikPelser I doubt that will be necessary? But thanks anyway. Will keep you on short dial if I need


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi @Ane and welcome to the forum.

Great to see someone with so much enthusiasm!!! Hahah I am sure in no time you will be setting up the second tank

 

One more question. I have a cool piece of wood that i want to use in the tank. It comes from a veld. Doubt it has pesticides or anything on it. Friend says i should chick it in my pool so the chlorine can sort out all the bad stuff while were away. Then in fresh water for a couple days and then into the tank.
Is this standard operating procedure? I highly doubt it has pesticides on it...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If It is hardwood then yes. I just soak in normal tap water for a week or more to get the worst of the tannins out. Most people boil wood although I think leaving it in a pool for 2 weeks can work

 

I dont know what type of wood it is. Wanted to take a picture this morning but with getting the kids ready for school I clean forgot. Its gnarly. If its not very hard, then what do I do?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Its not just the pesticides you need to think of but also parasites and that is possible in any piece of wood

The pool works great but when its a small piece and fits in a big pot I boil with some salt and its done much quicker
If you soak in water with chlorine, remember to soak in Prime afterwards

Soft wood starts going softer and softer in the water and rots in the tank which can cause problems
Post a picture and maybe someone can identify it

 

Cool thanks @MariaS I'll try and get one up this afternoon. I actually have quite a few of them so will put them all up to hopefully make the identification easier. Will also try to break off a piece to see how hard it is.They have quite a brittle bark, but i think thats just from being quite old and exposed to the elements. Do i need to remove it all before adding to the tank?