fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 21:27:27 GMT
On monday i collect my new rio 180lts :)so now i have lots of questions Fist of all is cycling it theres a filter thats comes with it so if i put the new filter in my old tank will that cycle the new filter and how long will it take to cycle it?and then its the water once my new filter has cycled will it be alright to add just new water or will it be best to add some old water from my old tank?any help is appreciated
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Post by jackpike on Feb 15, 2007 21:52:43 GMT
it would be better if u can take some of the media from your existing filter and transplant it into your new filter in your new tank. I think it would take a week, perhaps 2 weeks to cycle the new filter.
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fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 21:58:50 GMT
mmm...i don't understand what do you mean by taking media out of my old filter and putting it in my new filter my old filter only has a sponge thing in it?
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dave
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Post by dave on Feb 15, 2007 22:11:31 GMT
the media is the contents of the filter basicaly,the sponges,etc.it should be nice and gungy. congrats on getting the rio180,i have one too.what/how are you going to set it up?by which i mean,what sort of substrate,plants/rocks/bogwood,etc and what fish?
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Post by jackpike on Feb 15, 2007 22:18:10 GMT
mmm...i don't understand what do you mean by taking media out of my old filter and putting it in my new filter my old filter only has a sponge thing in it? How many sponges does your filter have?
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fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 22:21:33 GMT
So should i cut some of my sponge in my old filter off and put it in the new filter?As for decorations i will try sand this time and i would like to buy a mangrove root for a center piece,i will also be buying some sort of slate of maybe tile and attaching willow moss to it to get a carpet affect.im not really sure on fish yet but i would like some kuli loaches for the bottom and i was thinking about a pair of rams and kribs do you think they would be alright together?
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fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 22:22:26 GMT
mmm...i don't understand what do you mean by taking media out of my old filter and putting it in my new filter my old filter only has a sponge thing in it? How many sponges does your filter have? just one long one?
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Post by jackpike on Feb 15, 2007 22:29:03 GMT
You could cut off a small piece of the sponge and put it into the new filter. if u don't want to do that, you can take a small amount of gravel from your old tank and place it in your new tank. To help speed up the cycling process.
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fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 22:32:03 GMT
ok i will cut a small piece of sponge of it and i will add some old gravel too now what about water will i just add all new water or some from my old tank too?
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dave
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Post by dave on Feb 15, 2007 22:33:51 GMT
what make/model is your filter,i presume its from the aqua el 60,is that 60ltrs? argos do good sand,childrens play sand,only about 2.50 for 15kg if i recall correctly.make sure you give it a good wash out,stirring it up,its quite dusty,pour off the dirty water,you might need to do it a few times,until the waters clear. if you go for khuli loaches,you should get at least 5 minimum,they prefer company.not too sure on rams and cribs,but if you give them seperate territories,with broken lines of sight,they may be okay.however rams can be difficult,they require VERY clean water and are sensitive to pH. if you cant add some old filter media,what i do is pour in some of the muck that you siphon up when doing water changes,pour it into the new filter and add some stress zyme(filter bacteria bought in a bottle).use a test kit and keep monitoring your water while the filter cycles.patience is the key here,it also gives you time to choose fish.
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Post by jackpike on Feb 15, 2007 22:36:26 GMT
Fill the new tank up with water from the tap and add some dechlorinator and leave it running for 24hr. Then transplant the filter media and gravel
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fishgirl
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Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 15, 2007 22:41:16 GMT
what make/model is your filter,i presume its from the aqua el 60,is that 60ltrs? argos do good sand,childrens play sand,only about 2.50 for 15kg if i recall correctly.make sure you give it a good wash out,stirring it up,its quite dusty,pour off the dirty water,you might need to do it a few times,until the waters clear. if you go for khuli loaches,you should get at least 5 minimum,they prefer company.not too sure on rams and cribs,but if you give them seperate territories,with broken lines of sight,they may be okay.however rams can be difficult,they require VERY clean water and are sensitive to pH. if you cant add some old filter media,what i do is pour in some of the muck that you siphon up when doing water changes,pour it into the new filter and add some stress zyme(filter bacteria bought in a bottle).use a test kit and keep monitoring your water while the filter cycles.patience is the key here,it also gives you time to choose fish. yeah thats the filter i have its built into the lid,i will also buy sand from argos it is very cheap.will i have enough room in my tank for 5 kuili loaches how big will they grow?
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dave
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Posts: 177
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Post by dave on Feb 15, 2007 22:51:19 GMT
a rio180 is ample room for a lot more than 5 khulis,but of course,you have to take into account the rest of the fish you put in.they can grow up to 4inches.add fish slowly,once your water is right.there is a general rule of 1in of fish per gallon of water.i wouldnt think these are terribly accurate,they are only a rough guideline,because i dont beleive a 4in khuli will produce the same waste as a 4in oscar,but they are a good idea to start off with.
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Post by anthony on Feb 16, 2007 0:20:23 GMT
I would just squeeze the sponges into the new filther when yur tank is heated and the water has been dechlorated. This will kick start your tank and you can add fish straight away but no more than you rold tank had. Keep adding bacteria too.
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fishgirl
Full Timer
Fishgirl xxx
Posts: 173
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Post by fishgirl on Feb 17, 2007 18:46:00 GMT
I got my heater and filter today so untill i get my tank i am running my new filter in my old tank so that will help the cycle
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