210 gallon tank how long to cycle

AnthonyFish20

Aimara
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Mar 13, 2017
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My 225 took 8 weeks. Have 3 aquaclear 110s and two custom internal filters with 2 gallons biobale media each with powerheads. 110s have ceramic media and custom filter sandwiches. Ammonia phase was lightning fast, nitrite phase took the longest, and nitrate phase somewhere inbetween.

average temp 82-84 degrees fishless cycle

dosed up to 12ppm through final testing before cycled.
Im gonna have a fx5 and cascade1200 also might put on 2 hob To add more flow to the top.
 

FINWIN

Alligator Gar
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Dec 21, 2018
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Im gonna have a fx5 and cascade1200 also might put on 2 hob To add more flow to the top.
You could also try the large airstone disks for aeration. But you would need a powerful pump to push the air through. I'm currently using two 4" stone disks in the big tank with the powerheads pointed at the surface. Between that and the hobs there's great water movement.
 

punman

Polypterus
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Feb 22, 2016
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When I got my 180 gallon (do not have anymore), I just took one of my two filters off of an established 90 gallon, added a couple of other new filters with new media, and added fish the same day.

I did not overload with fish (they were African cichlids), and fed sparingly the first week. It worked out fine.

Did the same think a few years later with a 135 gallon. No problems.

I cannot comment about the type of fish you are planning as I have never had them.

This topic might get more responses if posted under the "Tank Set Up and Filtration" forum.
 
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AnthonyFish20

Aimara
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Mar 13, 2017
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When I got my 180 gallon (do not have anymore), I just took one of my two filters off of an established 90 gallon, added a couple of other new filters with new media, and added fish the same day.

I did not overload with fish (they were African cichlids), and fed sparingly the first week. It worked out fine.

Did the same think a few years later with a 135 gallon. No problems.

I cannot comment about the type of fish you are planning as I have never had them.

This topic might get more responses if posted under the "Tank Set Up and Filtration" forum.
Ok I would be adding new sand Ill let it run for at least a week before I add anything with the already cycled filter and new filter.
 

skjl47

Goliath Tigerfish
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May 16, 2011
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Ok i have my fish already so just add a few every week or something wen tank is cycled also do u know how hard it is to keep a stingray was thinking of getting one if there is one I could keep in this tank for a year or more
Im looking to have this tank ready in 3 weeks to a month got 2 oscars tht need this tank
Hello; other than guessing the better way to judge the cycle likely is to use a master water test kit. A tank is usually considered cycled if the tests show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some number of nitrate.

With you having the seed material a month or less should be very doable. If handled properly you should start out with some of the needed beneficial bacteria (bb). The bb are alive and use the ammonia and nitrite as a needed nutrient eventually changing them into nitrates. An issue is the balance of living bb numbers with the amount of these compounds the fish (and other things) are putting into the water. The bb reproduce slowly so this adjustment period can take a while.
 

AnthonyFish20

Aimara
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Mar 13, 2017
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Westwood Nj
Hello; other than guessing the better way to judge the cycle likely is to use a master water test kit. A tank is usually considered cycled if the tests show 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some number of nitrate.

With you having the seed material a month or less should be very doable. If handled properly you should start out with some of the needed beneficial bacteria (bb). The bb are alive and use the ammonia and nitrite as a needed nutrient eventually changing them into nitrates. An issue is the balance of living bb numbers with the amount of these compounds the fish (and other things) are putting into the water. The bb reproduce slowly so this adjustment period can take a while.
Ok thx for the info I plan on getting the tank running this weekend how many heaters do i need?
Thats the only thing I need to get forgot to ask .
 

skjl47

Goliath Tigerfish
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May 16, 2011
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Ok thx for the info I plan on getting the tank running this weekend how many heaters do i need?
Thats the only thing I need to get forgot to ask .
Hello; Heat is a dependent issue. If in a heated room in a house then not so much heater power is needed. In an unheated garage or basement then more heater power is needed. You are in NJ so will have some cold winter weather.

If in a house where the air temp is 70 F and you want the tank at 75F then you will need enough heaters to make up the five degrees. In an unheated garage where the air temp can be much lower the heaters may have to make up 50 degrees or more.

Say you somehow determine you need 300 watts (I am not suggesting 300, this is only an example). I would suggest you use two 150 watt heaters and not a single 300 watt. There are good reasons for this.
 
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