Cycling With Too Much Filter?

Hello everyone I just set up a spec V 16 gallon tank and The pump that came with it didn't work so since I had already put in the gravel, media and water I ended up throwing on an Aqua clear 20 HOB filter and a 4 inch air stone to keep the water circulating until I could get another pump. Well the pump is installed and my question is should I take off the HOB filter or leave it until the tank cycles. I read that the more current on the top will help cycle faster.

I have one other question please.....I am using fish flakes right now to do a fishless cycle and I was wondering if there are less messy options to choose from. Does it have to be flakes or is there something else that isn't as messy. Thank you.......

 

I think it would help cycle faster with more surface o2 exchange, but maybe there's more to it....I know you can't have too much filtration, possibly too much flow depending on the fish you plan to keep, but not too much filter.

Most ppl are using pure ammonia to fishless cycle the tank. It's true, flake is very messy and not very reliable as far as figuring out how much ammonia you get and when to redose. I admit, I've never done a fishless cycle, but there's many helpful members here who have and can walk you through it

 

If you have an Ace Hardware close by, try this for your fishless cycle.




I am in the process of a fishless cycle on a 75 gallon tank.

I found this calculator for dosing ammonia and another member suggested that I start by dosing half the calculated amount. Working great so far!

Fishless Cycle Ammonia Calculator

Just be sure you’re testing ammonia levels often and keep the ammonia level around 3 - 4 ppm.

 

I think it would help cycle faster with more surface o2 exchange, but maybe there's more to it....I know you can't have too much filtration, possibly too much flow depending on the fish you plan to keep, but not too much filter.

Most ppl are using pure ammonia to fishless cycle the tank. It's true, flake is very messy and not very reliable as far as figuring out how much ammonia you get and when to redose. I admit, I've never done a fishless cycle, but there's many helpful members here who have and can walk you through it

Hey crazy) Thank you for replying this can be so frustrating and any info helps So should I get janitorial ammonia? I don't want a really messy tank. I know the pure ammonia process but I read it was more beneficial to the fish if you cycled with fish food because it creates a certain type of bacteria that the fish need that the ammonia process does not create. So confusing when you get conflicting info. Oh well I think I will try ammonia.

Thank you so much

I am in the process of a fishless cycle on a 75 gallon tank.

I found this calculator for dosing ammonia and another member suggested that I start by dosing half the calculated amount. Working great so far!

Fishless Cycle Ammonia Calculator

Just be sure you’re testing ammonia levels often and keep the ammonia level around 3 - 4 ppm.

Oh wow thanks!!! That should help a lot....How is your cycle coming along?

 

Oh wow thanks!!! That should help a lot....How is your cycle coming along?

Yesterday was just a week since I got the tank set up and it’s going great!

I seeded the new tank with some extra bio media I had put in my 32.5 gallon a few months ago. The beneficial bacteria is already reducing ammonia levels and I’m guessing the new tank will be cycled in another week or so (compared to 6 weeks for the last fish-in cycle I did).

I’m also using liquid bacteria for this cycle.

 

Hey crazy) Thank you for replying this can be so frustrating and any info helps So should I get janitorial ammonia? I don't want a really messy tank. I know the pure ammonia process but I read it was more beneficial to the fish if you cycled with fish food because it creates a certain type of bacteria that the fish need that the ammonia process does not create. So confusing when you get conflicting info. Oh well I think I will try ammonia.

Thank you so much

Oh see, I've never heard of that, there is more than one way to get things done in the hobby if I've learned anything. Didn't mean to conflict Do you have sand or gravel? Worse case scenario, you have a mess to clean up before you get the fish. With sand, luckily the mulm sits on top. I didn't like the idea of food decaying in gravel because it gets trapped and provides a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria like Columnaris.

Ps, I was like 'crazy'? What? I get it lol, angelcraze....

 

If you decide to use ammonia and don’t have an Ace Hardware close, be careful about the type of ammonia you use. The ammonia should be pure with no detergent or other additives.

And get one of these to dose ammonia. Apex Oral Syringe and Adaptor | Rite Aid

 

Oh see, I've never heard of that, there is more than one way to get things done in the hobby if I've learned anything. Didn't mean to conflict Do you have sand or gravel? Worse case senerio, you have a mess to clean up before you get the fish. With sand, luckily the mulm sits on top. I didn't like the idea of food decaying in gravel because it gets trapped and provides a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria like Columnaris.

Ps, I was like 'crazy'? What? I get it lol, angelcraze....

Oh no dear I wasn't saying that you were being conflicting. I was just letting you know why I wanted to cycle with fish food. I am taking your advice and am going to use ammonia. I have only put fish flakes in for two days so it won't really matter if I switch to. I checked the ammonia levels this morning and it read 0ppm.

One more thing. I am a bit confused as to what you said about the HOB filter. Should I leave it? It does break the surface water. Thanks so much!!))

If you decide to use ammonia and don’t have an Ace Hardware close, be careful about the type of ammonia you use. The ammonia should be pure with no detergent or other additives.

And get one of these to dose ammonia. Apex Oral Syringe and Adaptor | Rite Aid

I have an ace hardware and Right Aid just up the street) Thanks very much for the info. I had no idea I was to use a syringe. Thanks!!)

 

Yesterday was just a week since I got the tank set up and it’s going great!

I seeded the new tank with some extra bio media I had put in my 32.5 gallon a few months ago. The beneficial bacteria is already reducing ammonia levels and I’m guessing the new tank will be cycled in another week or so (compared to 6 weeks for the last fish-in cycle I did).

I’m also using liquid bacteria for this cycle.

Awesome!! Glad to hear it is working out so well....I got a whisper filter pad from my LFS and I cut it up and put it in the media baskets that are in a chamber. I was wondering if you have ever dealt with a tank with builtin overflow chambers? It is weird to me since I have only ran HOB filters. The circulation pump is in the last chamber, then there are two other chambers for media. My concern is there isn't a strong enough back flow into the media chambers to make a difference. I guess since I can't see the water flowing through the chambers I don't understand it. The pump is pushing out 295 GPH. Any thoughts? Thanks again

 

Yeah, I would leave the HOB if you plan to keep using it when you get the fish. It provides more room for nitrifying bacteria to set up home. But if it's just for cycling, you would want to use the media in the filter with the fish at least because BB will be there. BB will grow enough to process the amount of ammonia you dose, so you wouldn't want to remove any when you get the fish.

 

Yeah, I would leave the HOB if you plan to keep using it when you get the fish. It provides more room for nitrifying bacteria to set up home. But if it's just for cycling, you would want to use the media in the filter with the fish at least because BB will be there. BB will grow enough to process the amount of ammonia you dose, so you wouldn't want to remove any when you get the fish.

Oh yeah crazy) Lol I'll stop now....
That makes perfect sense, I do not plan on leaving the HOB on after it cycles but I am going to keep the media that was in it. Ok I'm off to the hardware store.....Thank you))