Wanting to set up a new Loache tank

[starsplitter7]

I used pool filter sand. I rinsed it, but nothing came out. Very clean and settled almost immediately. I keep Malaysian Trumpet snails to keep my sand turned. The Kuhlies won't eat them. I also have horseheads with the Kuhlies and they don't eat snails either, but they like to be under the sand which keeps it turned.

Get a couple filters and put them on your 15 so they can mature. That will work better than using the water. The decorations, plants, filters will all have the bacteria you need to help cycle the new tank. Even if you don't want to permanently keep those decorations in the 75, put them in while you are cycling.

I always keep extra filters running on my tanks, so if I need to set up the Q tank the filter is ready (and therefore my tank is cycled).

Don't use your Kuhlies (or horseheads to cycle). They need a mature tank. I used Zebra Danios to cycle my tank, but that wasn't smart because they like cooler water, and I didn't know that.

Let us see your new tank.

[Joe Khul]

I will post pics as soon as I have the tank (it is on order along with a stand). I have had to settle on a 55 gallon. I will have the setup in my possession this Friday and will have it set up shortly there after. Pics to follow.

[Joe Khul]

What are good fish to cycle a 55 gallon setup? I was told to use black tetras in my 15 gallon set up.

[starsplitter7]

Have you considered fishless cycling?

Or putting the filter for the 55 on your current tank to mature the filter?

[lf11casey]

I got you all beat on the pet quota.

9 Cats
3 dogs
11 Tanks
1 Hamster
Good thing I live in the country. Most are rescues. If I could start a shelter I would.

Starsplitter7's idea of putting the 55 gl filter on your current tank until it matures is an excellent idea.

[Joe Khul]

I would place a new filter set up on my 15 gallon if the tank wasn't such a weird shape. Any idea what the cycle time would be if I tried fish-less? I am for anything that will get my tank cycled in the safest and quickest way possible.

Thanks for the advice Starsplitter.

You are fortunate then Casey.

[lf11casey]

Yes I am fortunate. I love my animals.

Anyway, I had a thought. Does your LFS carry Bio Spira? You can use it to cycle the tank. I used it on my 29 gl with no problems. I added the Bio Spira straight into the filter and added a couple fish to the tank. Over a 24 hr period I added the rest a few at a time. Didn't lose any of the fish and they were fine the whole time.

[starsplitter7]

Getting filter media from a mature tank is the fastest method.

Can you use some of the filter medium and gravel from the 15 to help start your 55? It should help seed the tank.

Here's one thread on cycling techniques.
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ss+cycling

This one is all about Fishless Cycling.
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... ss+cycling

Good luck.

[Joe Khul]

I will check. I have 3 shops with in a 3 mile radius of my home.

If I use the sand that loaches love, how do I clean it? Right now, I vacuum my gravel when it starts to collect to much brown algae and waste.

Thank you all for your responses to my endless stream of questions. My appreciation, and that of my fish, is deep!

Mike

[Joe Khul]

Star,

I probably can use some gravel from the exsisting tank, but can i use a sand gravel mix? I know that seems like a silly question, but I am concerend with getting this tank set up properly and have never used sand before (as if that wasnt totally obvious by now ). I have seen some pics here that show just sand or gravel, and only one or two that show some gravel with sand.

Thanks!

Mike

[helen nightingale]

a sand substrate is easy to look after. bits of dirt settle on top of the sand, then gets sucked into the filters, or you can just hover a hose above the dirty areas and the dirt is sucked up. if you get the hose too close to the sand, it will suck up a little bit of sand too, but you soon notice and raise the hose again.

the sand in my tank is laid down according to how the water flow and the loaches dictate. there are some areas where the sand layer goes thin due to water movement, other areas get thick, and the laoches seem to enjoy flicking up clouds of sand behind them when they get up a burst of speed froma standing start (i have yoyos, khulis are probably more restrained when it comes to making sand storms).

[Joe Khul]

Well, after discussions with my father in law (a former fish obsessionist ) and a talk with a local fish obsessionist – aquarium tank manufacturer – part-time fish shop worker, I am going to go with a very fine red flint (i think, dont quote me) gravel. This fellow claims that it is smooth enough for my kuhli’s and it ignores a vacuum pretty much ( he gave me an in-store demo as he was cleaning tanks.)

I am applying the 1st and 2nd coats of paint to my primed wall today, so I hope to have my tank cycling tomorrow or Thursday.

A compound question (big surprise ); has anyone heard of Top Fin Bacteria Supplement? If so, is it a viable solution to faster or instantaneous tank cycling? The claim is that this is similar to bio spira and that it will allow me to add fish the same day as it is added. Hardy Fish are still advised as statrters.

As I am a few days from filling and cycling my tank, any advice, thoughts, warnings, or threats to my life for using chemicals in what should be a long natural biological process, are of course most welcome and appreciated!

“May your loaches live long and prosper” – ancient anonymous Vulcan aquatic keeper’s proverb

Mike