shih-tzu mom

Hi: all i have an aqua-clear filter inserts and i'm just starting to use ammonia, and it says will keep ammonia away so should I leave that part out until it is cycled. the tank if for the oranda's.and it is 38-gallons so should i add 20-drops of pure ammonia? sorry but i am doing the old fashioned way this time lol and that insert worries me as would it not remove the ammonia that i'm adding daily?-no fish in tank and going to fill tonight and leave sitting for a few days.Sorry another question it says to crank heater to 80% is that ok, as i can take it out when it is finished cycling for the oranda's. thanks in advance bella

Dozey

I can't answer your filter question for you but in regards to increasing the water temperature. The warmer water will help promote bacteria growth.

And to take a stab at the filter question. The filter’s media is where the majority of the bacteria in your tank will live. So I’d guess you will have to leave it in. If you have a separate “ammonia removing” media in the filter then yes I would remove just that cartridge.

shih-tzu mom

Yes,Dozey it is just a cartridge and it says will remove ammonia so i thought i should leave that out as it also has a sponge and charcoal,. i thought i would replace the bio-max with another sponge and what about charcoal?. Will it not remove any thing you are trying to get in the water lol? As when you are removing med's ect; you have to use charcoal. bella

Dozey

OK, as long as the media is separate then yes the “anti-ammonia” cartridge can come out. The charcoal won’t remove ammonia but really isn’t required at this point either and is only good for about 3 weeks any ways. A lot of members here don’t use it at all unless they have over stocked tanks.

And I question the ammonia removing ammonia cartridge at all unless in some sort of emergency perhaps.

There are two types of bacteria that grow in your tank, sorry I don’t know their names. One feeds on ammonia and turns it into nitrites. The second bacteria feeds on nitrites and converts that into nitrates. So a media that removes ammonia would in effect crash the cycle.

I am not an expert on this, but I think I’ve got the basics covered here.

shih-tzu mom

Yes, Dozey i thought the same thing, common sense right? and could i just put 2-sponges in while cycling as i have 3-tanks in total and one i want to kick start as my readings are fine for the old 20-gallon and i thought of taking the extra sponge from there. and i was told the charcoal is for order and clear water-don't know if it is true or not. LFS. lol bella

Dozey

Using established media, gravel and décor will certainly help speed up the cycle process. So yes if you can use some of these from an establish tank then absolutely do so. It is also my understanding that charcoal is intended to remove odor. However many here do not use it all except when removing medication from their tanks. And charcoal will start to leach what ever it has absorbed back into the water after about 3 weeks.

It is my intention to remove the charcoal from my cartridges when they it is 3 weeks old and leave it out.

shih-tzu mom

Ok, thanks Dozey will keep you posted have been a great help;-thanks again bella