Iron waffle

I've set up an indoor pond in my house, I'm cycling it right now but it will be ready for my goldfish soon

Here's what it looks like for now, enjoy

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agabr123

very cool, how many gallons can it hold?

Iron waffle

I'd say about 35-40 at most.

Iron waffle

Its just starting to cycle now. Since it's cold water, will it take longer?

agabr123

probably, i know a lot of people (that do fishless cycles) recommend turning the heater up to 84-86 to speed bacterial growth, if you have any kind of heater you could put in there temporarily that might help

OR you can use Tetra Safe Start (NOT tetra aqua safe) and put the goldies in with it, as far as i know it is the only bacterial supplement that actually does what it says. you add your fish and ALL of the TSS at the same time, wait a week, test the water, if it's cycled then do a 50% water change, if not, then wait a few more days and test again

Iron waffle

The problem is I can't find a nitrate test kit, but i'll look out for Safe start. If i use filter media and TSS, will it cycle any faster?

JESS01

I would love to have an indoor pond. I'm not sure if it will cycle any faster, sorry.

agabr123

definitely, if you have enough seeded filter media then you can probably get through it overnight. but i'd keep an eye on it just in case there isn't quite enough media. also if you have gravel from a cycled tank, then you can put some of it in a nylon stocking and put it in the pond, that should help things along really nicely

Iron waffle

It's super easy and cheap to make one, all you need is a plastic tote, some plywood and some decorations. Cover the sides with the plywood and decorate them. then glue the decorations into place. You can add some pond liner if you want.

Iron waffle

Overnight?If i already put in the filter and gravel, do i still need safestart or will it cycle anyway by itself?

EDIT: the pond doesn't have a filter yet, so i just put the cultivated filter wool inside the pond.

agabr123

if the filter media and gravel were in a tank that was already cycled and weren't sitting completely dry at any time, then it should be cycled. i'd test it and take a reading and see what you get.

i'd get an API freshwater master test kit, it comes with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH test and is very accurate. a lot of the members here (including myself) swear by it.

how long has it been set up with the filter and gravel?

Iron waffle

just yesterday, I plan on adding some more just in case today. I can't find the API master test kit, they come separately here. There's an API for ammonia and pH and that's it (pretty inexpensive). the nitrate and nitrite come in expensive strips. so to make sure a tank is really cycled, i usually wait 2-3 more weeks than necessary, but it only works for tropical tanks as they cycle faster

agabr123

hmm, i would add some fish food/raw shrimp/pure ammonia in there to make sure the cycle doesnt crash. i'd go for the liquid ammonia test definitely. if you can't find anything but the strips that's better than nothing. you do need to add some source of ammonia though otherwise you'll never get through/keep the cycle

Iron waffle

i'll add more bacteria and "feed" them for about a week more after the ammonia goes down. is that ok? thx

agabr123

that should be great what are you using for bacteria?

you'll also want to look out for nitrItes, once ammonia and nitrItes are Zero and you're getting a nitrAte reading then you're good to go for your goldies

Iron waffle

i use uneaten fish food and sometimes some conditioner, waste- something. It works really well too. I'll post pics throughout the cycle then. thanks

agabr123

no problem

Iron waffle

It's been two weeks, i can't tell if anything has happened. Does it need a filter and aeration to cycle, or can it cycle just by throwing in filter media and adding a cycle supplement?

MaddieLynn

What exactly do you mean when you say you can't tell? Are you testing your water? If so, what are the readings?

Iron waffle

I mean i don't know if the cycle is done, and whether or not filter media needs an actual filter to establish a tank.

Iron waffle

Today, the pond water is getting really cloudy and the surface looks kind of greasy(like oil) and is bubbling, it doesn't have a filter yet. Should i change it?

Lucy

Is there any aeration in the tank? Sitting water goes stagnant.
I'm pretty sure even small outdoor ponds have some sort of filtration.
The only way your're going to know if the tank is cycled is to test the water.

Iron waffle

No , it doesn't have aeration, i'll put in an airstone and get a filter before i put in the fish.

catfishlover123

Well, I don't know. You can cycle by adding filter media or by adding ammonia.