Cycling tank for planting when back from holiday

Back to your cycle question.

Take your filter to a mates established tank let it run in his tank, by the time you back you could have some nictifying(sp) bacteria in your filter, always faster that way!

 

If you going to try use that wood, I would soak it as it is and then see what needs to be taken out/cleaned
I think it will also be much easier to do when the bark is softer from soaking

 

Got the tank. It's tiny!

Lol







Probably about 20-25 liters.

Pump and light work but needs some connetor pipe to the filter system. Ill go to the shop quick during lunch and get stuff for the filter. You guys say ceramic stuff?

Regarding the wood, thanks for all the info. Think ill leave it in a bucket till i get home and give it a scrub. Rather safe than sorry.


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@Reedfish... i tend to agree about the pool but a lot of the guys do it and say its ok...

I like to soak in a big container with a heavy hand of salt in the water...

 

Tank is very nice @Ane... but its very small...

Not sure how many fish you could house in it... but i suppose it will be ok for a few guppies... we see what the experts say

 

Wouldn't do more than a betta in there really. Guppies are pretty sensitive in my experience. The other micro fish are also not really easy at all

 

What are the dimensions of the tank, or rated volume?
A few micro fish could also work in that tank.
Maybe a few Galaxy Rasbora, Threadfin Rainbows, Strawberry Rasbora or Micro Rasbora.
Alternatively a single Betta male.

 

Just came back from the petshop at leaping frog.
The guy there says he's been selling these little tanks for years and this is a 15 Liter tank. lol
How about a couple of tetras?
He sold me a bottle of "Stability" by Seachem. pricey but what the hell.

Also bought ceramic bits and the top layer stuff for the filter, so I'll put all of that in plus the dirty bit i got last night.

The tank has pebbles in from the last time it was used. Can i leave them in for the two weeks or will they poison the water??

Also, I'm going to have to put SOMETHING into the tank tonight to tied the plants down with. garden rock? i need it to be something that wont need too much prepping before insertion...

 

Substrate is expensive! Holy moley!
I think it will be better to start off with something cheaper with plants tied to rocks and things.

 

There are a lot of plants that can be attached to driftwood, stones and rocks.
Anubias, Bolbitis, Java Fern, most of the moss types, Subwassertang, etc.

I would only invest in substrate suitable for plants, if I was planning a planted tank.
Seachem Flourite and ADA Aquasoil are probably the more common substrates, but there are many more you could choose from.
A black inert sand, pool filter sand and other gravels will work just as well in a small tank.
You could use Seachem Flourite Tabs with the sand or gravel, to feed plants that require fertilising.

A piece of granite or quartz will work to attach something onto.
Just do the acid test, to see whether it is suitable.
The better option for me would be some driftwood or spiderwood.
(The shop at Leaping Frog had some last time I was there, but they are VERY expensive.)

Seachem Stability should be used for 7 consecutive days to build up the beneficial bacteria.
I would wait until you have returned before starting with the Stability.
Stability is used to hasten the cycling process, and you could typically add livestock 2-3 days after setting up the tank.

 

Cool thanks! i have quartz. will do acid test and then dump it in.

 

I use stability max 2 days, and slowly add stock. The bacteria die without more food

Tetras aren't the best idea really

 

Glad you got your tank.

Good place to start. And if the fish bug bite you can all ways upgrade.

The guys gave some good advice


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For the record, pink quarts looks terrible in a red framed tank.

I boiled the living hell out of that piece of wood, then hosed it down with the pressure hose. Then scrubbed it some more. Then soaked it for about two hours, changing the water every 30 mins.

Added the filter media from the mature tank as well as dechlorinator.

I think the tank is now good to go?

(Roberstons Herbs and Spice bottle for scale )



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I have used Stability many times especially in emergency start ups but have always followed the 7 day instructions on the bottle
Sorry... dont think its a good idea to recommend especially to a newbie, to do otherwise.... just my 2 cents..

 

True there. I personally found that there is no point dumping in bacteria if nothing is there to sustain it longer term

 

Maybe you right... Im not going to argue...
I just feel that if im going to spend R500.00 or so..im following the instructions as, surely they have carried out tons of tests before putting them there.... im always cautious..... old age..
I also dont believe in shortcuts especially when you teaching or advising.... learn the right way and then do the short cuts as they work for you once you gain experience...
Again.. old school...

 

LOL - good thing I am colour blind - think it looks rather cool - put the lights on a timer - do not add any fish till you get back, have a lekker holiday - dream big dreams about what you are going to do in this tank and start planing for the next one. When you get back look at adding the rest of the plants / fish etc - you will be stressing way too much about your tank if you adding more before your holiday and you could make the mistake of trying to add holiday feeders, get a friend to feed the fish etc while you are away and then you have huge potential for not having an exciting start to this hobby.

Later Ferdie