Beneficial Bacteria - How long does it take to transfer onto new media?

[Zaffis]

Hello,

I have an established tank that I placed in two new forms of filtration media alongside the current established media.  One is a bag of bio balls and the other is a filter sponge that I just allowed to float around lose in the tank.  I plan to keep the bio balls in this tank for good, but the sponge is just in there to give me something to potentially throw into a quarantine tank when I finally pull the trigger and get fish ( the established tank has been empty of fish for a couple years).  

My question is: How long does it take the beneficial bacteria in a tank to establish itself on fresh, new media that you place in a tank that does already have it present?

[lefty o]

3 or 4 days should get a sponge pretty well seeded with bacteria.

[Widgets]

On 4/7/2022 at 4:50 PM, Zaffis said:

( the established tank has been empty of fish for a couple years).  

What do you have in the tank to help you maintain the cycle? There needs to be some ammonia source to keep the bacteria colonies thriving. Otherwise they will die off and go dormant, requiring a mini cycling to reestablish. 

[Zaffis]

On 4/7/2022 at 5:17 PM, Widgets said:

What do you have in the tank to help you maintain the cycle? There needs to be some ammonia source to keep the bacteria colonies thriving. Otherwise they will die off and go dormant, requiring a mini cycling to reestablish. 

I didn't realize this.  I assumed that because I had not cleaned the gravel out well in that time, that there would be enough "waste" in the gravel layer to continue the bacteria colonies.  The tank did have a moderate layer or algae on the four glass sides, as well as a thin coating of gray-ish debris around much of the rocks/gravel surface.  I figured that stuff breaking down would produce some amounts of ammonia.

[Widgets]

It is possible. The decomposition could keep enough bacteria alive. You need to measure the tank parameters, then provide a source of ammonia and test again the next day to see how the parameters change.

Even if you don't have an active cycle, the dormant bacteria should make for a quick cycle once you start feeding again.

[Zaffis]

What would be a good source of ammonia if I decide to test that?  It is a 28/29 gallon bowfront tank.

[Patrick_G]

You can buy Ammonia marketed for fishtanks. Dr. Tim’s is the one I’ve used. Fritz fishless fuel is another. 
 

Fritz Aquatics Fishless Fuel Ammonia Solution for Aquariums 2 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MLCY3TT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MFCX8B2NYC9GFD2CXSRE

 

[Widgets]

You want to make sure it does not contain any detergents or surfactants. The safest way is like @Patrick_G said and get something marketed for aquariums. 

The ones marketed for aquariums probably also have dosing information.

[Zaffis]

I ordered some of that Fritz Fishless Fuel.  Will have it in a few days.

[Zaffis]

I received the Fishless Fuel today.  After taking the water parameters, I put in 1 tsp for 25 gallons per the directions.  I figured with the amount of substrate + rocks that are in my 29 gallon tank that is fine.  Now I'll let it sit, and check parameters again this time tomorrow.

 

[Zaffis]

Gave it 24 hours.  Tested the water.  Didn't see any nitrites measured.  My nitrates level seemed to be maybe a little higher than the previous day, but it was in the 20-40 range both times, so it could just be variance/lighting/poor eyesight.

Below is the ammonia readings.  Would you say this is 2.0 or 4.0.? I have trouble reading these test tube kits sometimes because room lighting causes shadowing in the tubes.

 

[lefty o]

id call that 2.0 .

[Zaffis]

2.0 is what I thought as well, but it was good to have a second opinion.  Did another test of parameters today, but nothing has changed.  Still the same amount of ammonia, no nitrites, nitrates still at the same level from the original left over tank water.  I guess I don't have any of beneficial bacteria colony left that I was hoping for.

I got my co-op order a day sooner than expected, so I have fertilizer and root tabs on hand now.  I can finalize what plants I would like to get and plant the tank.

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@ZaffisI think if you were to throw in some cycled media you'd see some nitrite within a day and most likely depending on bioload would get it to show nitrate within another 24-48 hours. So then you can just keep adding ammonia and then checking later that day to see if the tank can start to transition to quickly making its way through the nitrogen cycle. 

Absolutely plant the tank. Would speed up the cycle. 

I usually just ghost feed and throw in some food as I am usually also trying to create more biofilm for plecos and shrimps. But, having ammonia around is great for cycling and feeding BB. 

[Zaffis]

Just a follow up:  Tested water parameters today after a week not doing daily check ups.  Ammonia now zero, nitrites zero, nitrates appear elevated above previous values.  So it appears that it took my particular tank (with aged water/seasoned substrate)  ~21 days to fishless cycle using fishless fuel.  (Note: I have not added any plants as of yet.) 

I added another 1 tsp of fishless fuel to the tank and now will go back to daily check ups to see how fast it can cycle through that level of ammonia.