Variety of Questions....

[PintoHawk]

Questions. . . . please, I hope nobody slaps me for any of these questions or my lack of knowledge. I am trying to learn and do the right thing. :)

1. Bacteria
I have read a few mentions now of keeping the good bacteria from old filter media, not to rinse out your media in tap water, but instead use treated water, and don't scrub your filter, rocks, all. etc.
Ok, so how do I clean the filter and still keep the good stuff in the tank? Bucket of tap water, treated (how do I treat it?) and rinse it in there and put it directly back in? Won't that rinse off the bacteria goodies we want to save?

2. Fishless Cycle
How exactly do I do a "fishless cycle"? This is still confusing to me. I have recently acquired a large tank (free yay), possibly 45 gallon (huge yay) that is long and low shaped (I hear this is good, surface area and all), and I want to do everything right.

3. Bio-Spira
Have any of you used it? Is it worth it? Where do I get it? How does it work?

4. Test Kits
I have the ammonia test kit, but that's it. What else do I absolutely need?

5. Java Moss
I hear it is an excellent live plant for raising fry, and easy to care for, grows in almost any condition, etc. True? Other plants you recommend with these same traits? I have ordered a bag of Java moss, should arrive in a week. Any tips for keeping successfully?

Thank you!
I apologize if this is not where I should have posted this?

[Melody]

Thanks for being concerned, but please don't worry about what and where you post something here unless its nasty, rude, degrading or anything else that is obviously not acceptable in social situations.:smile: If it should be somewhere else, we'll move it. If the questions have been asked before it doesn't really matter, because the membership keeps changing and we'll get the input from new members - everyone learns something. If there's a complete thread about it somewhere and you can't find it, someone will post it for you. We're here to relax and learn, not freak out over the small stuff. Forums like that get on my nerves :laugh: . If it will compromise the peace and tranquility of this forum, we address it. Anything else contributes to the R & R aspect.

:secret: We love it when people ask questions because everyone has something to share and we can do what we love to do - talk about fish. We all started right where you are and we are all still learning.

That said... :wink: I don't have time to address your questions properly before work and I happen to know that there are members here better qualified to address them anyway, so I'll leave you in their hands and enjoy the read. They're good questions, thanks for posting them!

[PintoHawk]

Thanks Melody! Put me at ease, LOL
Some Forums are very strict on posting in the correct place and the "that's been answered before, read the past threads, jeez" type of thing. I am glad to see this Forum is more laid-back and very supportive of and open to noobies. :D

[CACAdmin]

We welcome your questions. We were all newbie's at some point and we're all still learning. You never stop learning in this hobby which keeps it interesting. The best way to learn is to ask questions.

I'll start by trying to answer the questions I can and leave some of the others to more experienced people here.


1. Bacteria
I have read a few mentions now of keeping the good bacteria from old filter media, not to rinse out your media in tap water, but instead use treated water, and don't scrub your filter, rocks, all. etc.
Ok, so how do I clean the filter and still keep the good stuff in the tank? Bucket of tap water, treated (how do I treat it?) and rinse it in there and put it directly back in? Won't that rinse off the bacteria goodies we want to save?

Siphon some water out of your tank into a bucket and rinse the media in that water before dumping it. Replace the media in your filter and that's it. Same goes for your filter tubes, impeller, etc. which I clean rarely (only when it's obviously getting clogged up). Tap water contains chlorine and will kill off the bacteria. Tap water needs to be treated with a de-chlorinator (there are a number of products but I use Aqua Plus). You can treat the water with the de-chlorinator in a bucket and then add to the tank or if filling up the tank with hose add the de-chlorinator directly to the tank as you are refilling (amount is in the directions on the bottle.)

No need to be concerned about losing good bacteria this way as plenty will remain on the media (The reason for using tank water there is also bacteria in there... some exists in the water column and there will be plenty in your filter itself & on the rocks and gravel and it will quickly multiply.)

2. Fishless Cycle
How exactly do I do a "fishless cycle"? This is still confusing to me. I have recently acquired a large tank (free yay), possibly 45 gallon (huge yay) that is long and low shaped (I hear this is good, surface area and all), and I want to do everything right.


I've never done a fishless cycle so I'll leave this one to those who have. In the interim check out these threads for info:
Nitrogen Cycle & Cycling Methods (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497)
Cycling 70g and up tanks? (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3414)

4. Test Kits
I have the ammonia test kit, but that's it. What else do I absolutely need?

I would suggest you get both Nitrite and Nitrate tests or pick up test strips (individual tests or they also have the' 5 tests-in-on' kind but they are pricey). You want to be sure that you have not only no ammonia in your tank but no nitrites either and low levels of nitrate for the health of your fish.

5. Java Moss
I hear it is an excellent live plant for raising fry, and easy to care for, grows in almost any condition, etc. True? Other plants you recommend with these same traits? I have ordered a bag of Java moss, should arrive in a week. Any tips for keeping successfully?


It seems to grow fairly easily for me in almost any light. Another really easy plant is hygro and one that is really good for fry is hornwort as it will grow floating however for some reason I have varying long term success with it but it is cheap and easy to grow.

[Katalyst]

Questions. . . . please, I hope nobody slaps me for any of these questions or my lack of knowledge. I am trying to learn and do the right thing. :)


3. Bio-Spira
Have any of you used it? Is it worth it? Where do I get it? How does it work?

I've used it, it looks like fine brownish poweder. I picked mine up in the States but I'm sure you can locate it here if you do a search. Its supposed to give your tank an instant cycle. I've always used it with a seasoned sponge from another tank so I can't honestly say if it worked or not. I do use it as well on days when I am cleaning my filters to help any bumps from occuring. One of these days I'll test it out.

When I say cleaning my filters I mean, unplugging the filter filling a bucket with tank water and wringing the sponge out. This shouldn't be done on the same day as a water change though.

[PintoHawk]

Thank you, CACAdmin, wow - your reply was very helpful, I appreciate it alot. :)
I will have to look for some hornwort then, as well, have a little variety in the tanks.

Kate - I kind of figured it was a US product because everyone even remotely fish related/inclined here in Alberta doesn't have a clue what I am talking about. LOL
I was wondering if I had made it up...
Thanks for your description of wringing out the filter, too, that made it alot more clear for me. :)

[KnaveTO]

Bio-spira is not available in Canada as it is a biological product and is prohibited for import. Sorry.

[PintoHawk]

aaHA, I figured. Thanks Knave. :)