mosin360

Got my new AC50 today for a tank I'm getting this weekend. I took the bio-max and sponge, washed them both out, put them in the included bag, and finally hanged it in my current tank. As you can see in the picture, it's in the back corner of my tank and secured very well.

My question is, is this ok? Will this allow the bacteria to grow?

Attached Images

sponge-biomax.jpg (593.6 KB, 70 views)

platy ben

Hmm, if there is no waste in the bag surely there won't be any ammona, nitrite and nitrates in that water to feed the cycle?

mosin360

It's actually in my 29g tall with 12 fish so thats the source.

platy ben

Ohright
Well aslong there is a source of ammonia getting into the media that should work fine

jdhef

I assume that is a mesh bag where your tank water can reach the media in the bag.

potatos

Dose that work as a extra place for beneficial bacteria to colonize or something? i have never seen one

mosin360

Yeah, it's actually the bag that came with the AC50. It's quite big for the amount of bio-max they give you.

redlessi

Will the bag with just the biomax fit into your existing filter?

I would think it would get more bacteria in the filter..............

mosin360

No, the filter already has a sponge and biomax in it so it has no room. I've not seen anything that says it's the same or worse than being inside the filter. I would assume it wouldn't matter.

potatos

That is great! im so glad you posted this, because i have been looking for ways to boost my bacteria so i could maintain better water conditions for my rams. i will look into the sponge you mentioned too. thnx again

aquarist48

Good morning.

What you've done should do very well, seeding the new media. I've done it myself. I just placed mine behind rocks and terracotta ornaments to hide it was the only thing different from what you've done. I love my Aqua Clears!

Ken

mosin360

Sure thing.

How long did you leave it in there before putting it in the new filter/tank? I was thinking like 2 1/2 weeks. I tell ya, I can't wait to see this new filter in action.

aquarist48

Hello Mosin
I would suggest leaving it in there for at least 2 weeks. Longer if you can do so. The longer you leave it in there the stronger the bacteria will be. I actually added my new filter media to my 155g tank about 2 months before I switched over to the 265g. I had an instant cycle just by switching everything over. (I have pH issues so I used my water too.)
Ken

mosin360

My plan is to keep it there until Feb 5th which would mean a soak time of 18 days. I than plan on adding 6-9 Harlequin Rasbora to the new tank after I transfer the seeded media. After two weeks and everything is good, I'll get 4-5 Corys. After another 1-2 weeks, I'll move the Rasbora to my 29g tall and add two Angelfish to the 20g tall.

Thats my grand plan so far.

Jaysee

If you already have an AC running, why don't you just switch out the bags of biomax? Then you would have instantly cycled the tank and would be ready for fish that same day. Then, add a second bag of biomax to the new filter. I'm assuming the new filter is bigger than the old one. So you'd have AC50 biomax in an AC20/30, and 2 AC20/30 biomaxes in the AC50. This way, when you start your next tank, with an AC for a filter of course, you can switch the new biomax out for one of the 2 than are in the AC50, instantly cycling your new tank.

Also, putting media to be colonized in the filter is far more effecient than putting it in the tank. A much higher percentage (99%) of tank water passes through the filter, as opposed to a specific place within the tank. An established colony in the filter can also colonize the new media much faster than the established colonies inside the tank. It's a dfference of days vs weeks.



2 angels in a 20 is 2 too many.

mosin360

The filter in my 29g tall is a Aqueon actually. Since it's not a large as a AC filter, it's a tight fit with a small sponge and a small bag of biomax. So the new AC50 sponge and biomax is just too large to fit. And I'm also doing that because I'm not getting the tank till this Sunday and I can't get fish for at least another week after that. So, I got time.

I know a 20g tall is the very limit for Angelfish but with just them and some Corys, they should do alright.

Jaysee

Oh I thought it was an AC cause you said sponge and biomax

Minimum tank sizes for fish varies greatly, depending on who you talk to. For the most part, any aquarium is going to confine the fish moreso than in real life. The question is how much is too much. Personally, I am on the stricter side and feel that a 29 is the BARE minimum for ONE angel. Many who are stricter than me feel that a 29 is too small for 1. Then there are others who keep them in 10 gallon tanks, and the idea that a 20 or 29 is too small is silly to them. It's all a matter of perspective. In the end, it's up to you to determine how cramped you want your fish to be.