Cycling of new Zebra pleco tank

[wasabi8888]

Will be setting up a tank for L46s. Using the same tank that i have now, the only difference is that I will removing the internal filter (Juwel filter) and installing a Eheim 2026. Thus the tank needs to be cycled again.

I read from threads that we can use mulm from the current tank to seed the new filter and new substrate. I will be using ADA sarawak for the new set-up.

1. Do I just squeeze old filter water into the base of the tank and put the sand substrate on top? Is this what we called seeding the substrate?

2. How do I add mulm into the new 2026? Do I squeeze the same filter pad water into the new 2026 before I switch on the filter? But when i switched on the filter, wont those "dirty" water get flushed into the tank again?

[Freshman]

Hi,

I suggest you have both the internal filter and eheim 2026 running together at the same time. Those beneficial bacteria in the tank/filter/water will make their way to colonize the new filter media inside the Eheim 2026.

But if you really need to remove the internal filter from the new setup, then I suggest you take out the dirty filter wool from the internal filter and place them in the new Eheim 2026.
Meanwhile, you just carried on with the cycling process.

Monitor the various water parameters frequently.

Normally by adding some old filter media, the cycling duration will be shorten.

For question 2, clean water doesn't mean good water. You need to test the water parameters to know.

[Quixotic]

I would second that, use both filters if possible. Overfiltration would definitely be better, I think most L46 keepers tend to use two filters for their tanks. Otherwise, use an air pump for better aeration and higher disolved oxygen.

Regardless of using mulm or old filter material, I don't think it is worth while to cut short the cycling, considering how highly desirable and expensive they are. So I would suggest that the longer you cycle the tank, the better it is.

[wasabi8888]

Thanks both.. thanks to poison from irwin (celticfish), i am buying the 2028 instead.. so overfiltration is a definite...

I cant use 2 filters, cos i am going to remove the internal Juwel filter which is fixed to the tank through silicon gel. Need to empty the tank in order to remove that filter.

But will use the mulm and cycle the tank for 2 weeks before adding the L46. Will also add the diffusor for Eheim (don't know the name) to pump O2 in.

[Goondoo]

Thanks both.. thanks to poison from irwin (celticfish), i am buying the 2028 instead.. so overfiltration is a definite...

I cant use 2 filters, cos i am going to remove the internal Juwel filter which is fixed to the tank through silicon gel. Need to empty the tank in order to remove that filter.

But will use the mulm and cycle the tank for 2 weeks before adding the L46. Will also add the diffusor for Eheim (don't know the name) to pump O2 in.

Interesting, you didn't mentioned about using the existing water at all. They are as good.

[celticfish]

he did a lot of homework!

[wasabi8888]

No choice.. the investments required me to do the homework...

[benny]

Looks like a lot of planning going into this dream setup! I can't wait to see it!

Cheers,

[wks]

Jeffrey, will you be putting plants into your new setup?

[wasabi8888]

well after going to celticfish and akoh's house and seeing their setups.. a little change to my set-up

1. 1 ft tank (30X30X40H) tank currently houses L236, L128, L134, L27, 3 Agassizii Tefe, 1 yamato and 1 cherry will be converted to a full L46 tank. Blue background, brown dennerle gravel running on Ehiem 2211 and Eheim Liberty 100. Intend to get 4 juvenile L46s. Scape is mainly DW.

2. 2 ft tank currently planter tank will house the above L236, L128, L134, L27, 3 Agassizii Tefe, 1 yamato and 1 cherry. And include 1 albino bristlenose long fin, 2 chocolate gouramis, 1 honey gold gourami and 1 checkboard. Background will be the new Juwel Biotope Background. ADA sarawak substrate. Running on Eheim 2028. With a flow rate of 1050l per hour, this tank will be having a turnover of 15 times. I know the gouramis etc like slow water, but they will make do for now. If not, i have to put them out for adoption. There will be minimal plants (nanas and salvinia at most). scape will be DW and neutral stones...

Any comments?

[benny]

Something like this?



Cheers,

[Titus]

L46 are beautiful plecos. You plannig to breed them in the future? Else the current set up should suffice.

Would suggest just give them a little more aeration, prehaps a venturi outlet of something.

Another old hand with plecos is bro Gecko. Think he had shared his L046 setup in this forum. Good reference

[wasabi8888]

Something like this?



Cheers,

THANK YOU benny....buying next week......

L46 are beautiful plecos. You plannig to breed them in the future? Else the current set up should suffice.

Would suggest just give them a little more aeration, prehaps a venturi outlet of something.

Another old hand with plecos is bro Gecko. Think he had shared his L046 setup in this forum. Good reference

Will be Adding the venturi for the 2 ft with the L236, L128, L27 etc...for the 1 ft, I have a hang-on filter to provides aeration when water hits the surface, and circulation by the rainbar connected to the 2211 should suffice.

Getting advice from Celticfish and Gecko as well as they have been successful in keeping the L46s. It's been great but a stressful journey...

[Titus]

Stressful but a journey that's worth it!!! The tranquality of the zebras setup is great!!!

Do show us some pictures when it is all done.

[wasabi8888]

I still couple of questions left unanswered pertaining to external canisters. This could be a question in the Equipment thread, but still is for this tank and it's about cycling as well. Mods, please shift/split if necessary.

1. From what I know, the Eheim 2028 has a priming feature. I have searched posts on it and there have comments about how it works. Some bros have also taught me their methods and I want to see your views on it.

If it's a new 2028 and I am using it for the first time, do I

a. Use the priming button or
b. Open the lid, and tank water until full. Close the lid and start the filter or
c. Use installation kit?

Since this filter is going to be below a cabinet, i can only use my fingers to press the button. I can stand and use my body force to aid the push. I have heard that this priming button is not easily pushed.

2. I will adding a venturi. Inlet and venturi outlet should be on same side or opposite sides or it's a matter of preference. Please do remember this is a pleco tank.

3. Since I will be pasting a new background as Benny as so kindly seduced me into, i definitely cannot set up the tank within one day due to the wait for the silicon gel to dry up. As I mentioned earlier, I will be using old water from the current set-up. That means, I will have at least 2-3 pails of old water outside the tank for 24 hours. Do I need to put in sponge filters/airstone to keep bacteria alive? or can I just leave the pails as it is and set up the next day?

I know this is a long "questions" list, but I really hope to set this up properly. I have been in this forum for a while, and sometimes I am quite appalled at my lack of knowledge in basic set-ups... Must set up more tanks to learn more...

[celticfish]

2. i think the venturi should be for the outlet only.

3. you can place the sponge of your internal filter into each pail.
it would be better if you can run an airstone for it too.

[BFG]

Wasabi8888, I would suggest you use the Eheim Installation set for ease of use for your filter. The priming function sometimes doesn't want to cooperate as I've found out for myself. This piece of equipment will allow you to fill the inlet part of the tube connected to the filter with water via a twistable cap. Unscrew the cap, fill the inlet tube with water and screw back the cap. Start your filter. That's it. I'm using it for all my freshwater setup.

[Quixotic]

3. Since I will be pasting a new background as Benny as so kindly seduced me into, i definitely cannot set up the tank within one day due to the wait for the silicon gel to dry up. As I mentioned earlier, I will be using old water from the current set-up. Thath means, I will have at least 2-3 pails of old water outside the tank for 24 hours. Do I need to put in sponge filters/airstone to keep bacteria alive? or can I just leave the pails as it is and set up the next day?

Isn't large colonies of bacteria in your tank in the porous materials, e.g. biomedias, substrate and so on? IMHO, though there will be some in the water, the amount isn't substantial enough and you will still need to wait for the bacteria to colonise the porous materials.

However, the mulm, which basically contains lots of bacteria, will help. Otherrwise, get a bottle of Nutrafin Cycle and dose accordingly.

[wasabi8888]

Just bought the Juwel Rock backdrop and Eheim 2028.. also bought 2 boxes of Biohome plus in addition to the media provided with the 2028. Cant wait to set up but may have to wait after the new year when I am not working anymore. Cant do this and mess up the house when OC is around this year.

2. i think the venturi should be for the outlet only.

3. you can place the sponge of your internal filter into each pail.
it would be better if you can run an airstone for it too.

2. Yup, Irwin. I know the venturi is for the outlet. Sorry if i did not phrase it properly. Should outlet and inlet be on the same side?

3. Noted. Will do that.

Wasabi8888, I would suggest you use the Eheim Installation set for ease of use for your filter. The priming function sometimes doesn't want to cooperate as I've found out for myself. This piece of equipment will allow you to fill the inlet part of the tube connected to the filter with water via a twistable cap. Unscrew the cap, fill the inlet tube with water and screw back the cap. Start your filter. That's it. I'm using it for all my freshwater setup.

hmmm... i should have asked Chan at NA about the installation kit. I forgot to ask him today. Maybe tomorrow. Do you know how much it cost? Will it take space in the tank? Sorry I do not how it looks like and how it fits in the set up. Chan said press the priming button can already. I wanted even to buy the double taps and he said don't need as the 2028 can remove the internal taps.

Isn't large colonies of bacteria in your tank in the porous materials, e.g. biomedias, substrate and so on? IMHO, though there will be some in the water, the amount isn't substantial enough and you will still need to wait for the bacteria to colonise the porous materials.

However, the mulm, which basically contains lots of bacteria, will help. Otherrwise, get a bottle of Nutrafin Cycle and dose accordingly.

Quixotic

Sorry. I don't really understand your advice in the 1st part. There is bacteria in my tank. But it exists probably in the water, and sponge media and maybe the gravel. My point is whether they will stay alive in a pail without any aeration as I need to keep the tank empty for the silicon gel to dry (used in the pasting of the backdrop).

I have Nutrafin Cycle. And I will definitely use that in addition. I am just afraid that old water becomes dead water after one day in the pail without aeration. Please advise.

[Quixotic]

What I understood is that you intend to use water from the old tank for use in the new tank for the purpose of reducing cycling time. Just the old water alone, is that correct?

IMHO, this will not help significantly enough because there really isn't much of these bacteria in the water column. They colonise mainly on porous surfaces and materials, so short of resuing your gravel and sponge media in the new setup, the net gain is not much even if it will somewhat help.

Or are you intending to reuse the gravel and sponge media as well?