Fastest way to cycle biomedia in a HOB filter

Discussion in 'ASAP' started by kv2wr1, Apr 13, 2012.

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  1. kv2wr1

    kv2wr1 Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    Messages:
    72
    Location:
    Minnesota
    I have the biomedia currently in the sump of my up and running 40B w/ 20g sump. It been in there a week. Today something doesn't seem right with the 40B. The water parameters measure fine, but It does not smell like normal. Smells a little fishy (pun intended). I have my 75g quarantine up and running in case I have to transfer the fish over. Do you think there is enough bacteria on the biomedia to support 2 clowns and a coral beauty in a 75g with an AC110 HOB or should I get some bottled bacteria to add like Seachem Stability?

    Last week I tried some chemiclean to get rid of the cyno, but it did not do a thing and I followed the directions exactly. Everything seemed fine afterwards as I did a 20% water change. I added new carbon to the reactor and turned it back on along with the skimmer.
     
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  3. IvIountainman

    IvIountainman Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2010
    Messages:
    195
    Location:
    Mount Wolf, PA
    Strong sour fishy smell is usually cyanobacteria. How long do you run your lights? try cutting back to no more then 10 hours a day and keep using chemclean as instructed.

    How long has it been running and do you have a substrate? Just to be sure the water is stable. A hang on back may not move the water enough but adding a power head should be plenty if its FO for 3 fish in a 75g your not gonna spike anything.
     
  4. sticksmith23

    sticksmith23 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2011
    Messages:
    4,053
    Location:
    Greenville, SC
    Products like Microbacter7 and BioSpire from IO never hurt anything if you want to be on the safe side