Robbo2232 Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Hello friends, I am in the process of setting up my rack of 4 4x18x18 and soon to be puting water in it, can I cycle the tanks without having the heaters on? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 The bacteria required for cycling have an optimum temperature range for reproduction. From memory I think below 18C the colonisation starts to slow down. Can't remember what the upper limit is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo2232 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Thanks, well if my heater order dosent show up till next week at least I can fill them up and get the ball rolling Anyone know if there is a low temp when the bacteria will start to die off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosavage Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 i dont really get this.. what about outdoor ponds in countries with very cold winter? i'm sure they'd have bacteria growing in those ponds?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo2232 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Oh man ponds!! I didn't even think about that!! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosavage Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 bacteria will only die off if there's sudden / extreme change in the temperature Gold fish and kois are cold water fish and their water will sure have bacteria growing in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo2232 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Ahh I see, Well best not dump the canister filter media in it then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Maybe there are different types of bacteria that live at different temps? I don't know the exact reasons, but assuming that because it works somewhere else can be risky. I am guessing that different bacteria thrive at different temps. Are going to be adding fish to the tank, without a heater or are you fishless cycling your tank? By monitoring your parameters you will know when your tanks cycle has finished, If there is a noticeable change in parameters after you add the heater, then you will know that the heater was needed. Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CThompson Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Fresh water to salt water there is a different bacteria. But I don't think the same can be said for fresh water at different temps - unless perhaps they are extreme (zero - 50+). For example changing a cycled goldfish tank over to tropical will only require the addition of the heater and removal of the goldfish and I would not expect a cycling issue (provided a similar bio-load is put in). The only negative I can see will be the cycle time may be longer as metabolism slows down at lower temperatures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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