Tehachapitom

I've been reading a lot on these forums about my Ocsars. Some people say to take the filter material from an established tank and put it in my start up tank to help it get the cycle moving. My question is, I have a pond with Gold Fish in the back yard, It's about 4 years old. Can I use some water or filter material from the pond to start the Nitrogen cycle in the Oscar tank?

I am going out today to find Bio Spira, Prime and a test kit.

Thanks

Shawnie

you can use the filter media...but I wouldnt use the water....oscars are tropical and like warmer water not to mention the outdoors may have some other things in the pond that oscars dont need...but if you get bio spira, you wont need it

clinton1621

I wouldnt use ANYTHING from an outdoor pond to establish an indoor tank... first off you will be potentially introducing outdoor bugs, larvae, or parasites into your tank. Second... different temp waters have different bacteria that probably either wont work very well or will simply just die off and create waste that you dont want. Third... some diseases, bacteria, and parasites that thrive in cold water can be disastrous in a tropical setup because they actually speed up and breed rapidly due to a higher metabolic rate in warmer water.

EDIT : Forgot to mention potential algae outbreaks as well!

Shawnie

never thought about it that way!

so very true clinton!!...my "allowed" brunette moment of the day! (careful I sometimes abuse it )

clinton1621

Its ok lol, I do agree with you 100% on the Bio-Spira if you are wanting to add fish right away... or use ammonia to speed up the cycle without fish =)

Shawnie

if im not mistaken, (which we know I probably am) the oscars are in there already so the ammonia wont work...but deff the bs...I hope he finds some cause its the bomb!

clinton1621

Oh No! Your brunette disease is rubbing off on me lol... just kidding

Yes if the Oscars are already in there then definitely DO NOT add ammonia, this only works in FISHLESS cycles... sorry for any confusion