Cycling Brackish Tank?

[OswaldPuffPuff]

I'm sorta confused on how you cycle a brackish tank and how you grow the right bacteria- ok im VERY confused.
Right now my GSP is in a 2.5 gallon tank, with aquarium salt. Today I'm going to change his water and add marine salt instead...
but i also have a 15 gallon tank that is not being used at the moment. I just have no clue how to cycle it. I've read many articles on how to do it, but it's like another language to me. I have a few questions...
1. What kind of filter should I buy for the tank?
2. What is a filter sponge?
3. What kind of heater should I buy?
4. How do you grow the right bacteria? (ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate--- i really dont get this part)
5. How long should I cycle it without the fish
6. What should I do with my GSP in the meantime while he's in his tank?

I've just started with the whole fish thing, sooooo it's very hard to understand for me.... sorry

I would appreciate the help
~OswaldPuffPuff

[StormySkiez]

In your other post you said you have a F8. Which do you have because they have different requirments. You really do not need to worry about adding the marine salt until you get the cycle right on the tank. You may want to focus on one thing at a time. It's up to you. The most important thing right now is to make sure you have 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia in his tank. Him turning black can be a sign of major stress.

1. What kind of filter should I buy for the tank? You can use the hang on the on the back type filter for brackish tanks.
2. What is a filter sponge? That goes inside the filter to collect bacteria and help filter out the crud.
3. What kind of heater should I buy? Buy a good quality heater for the size tank you have. I like the type that goes inside the tank that you can adjust the temp on that don't break.
4. How do you grow the right bacteria? (ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate--- i really dont get this part) This happens With time in a tank that has water in it and something for the bacteria to feed off of. Sorry I can't explain it better. When you have tests that read 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, a steady PH around 7.8-8.3 with regular weekly water changes and your test numbers stay the same inbetween WC's it's pretty safe to say the tank is cycled.
5. How long should I cycle it without the fish. I would put the fish in the new tank with the old decor, substrate and filter if possible to help the cycle because the 2.5g tank is way to small. I think the fish will do better in the bigger tank even if it is not cycled yet because it seems the small tank isn't cycled either.
6. What should I do with my GSP in the meantime while he's in his tank? I would cycle the new tank with him in it with what PP said to use....safestart. If you have a gsp, they require 30 gallons as they get bigger per fish. The figure 8 requires the 15g size.

[OswaldPuffPuff]

oops sorry he's a GSP. Well, thank you so much for all of your help! So, once I get my 15 gallon tank set up ( It's at least 15 gallons im positive of that for sure) I should put him in it? While it cycles? And check the ammonia and other chemicals like, every day?
I think I have a better understanding now. Thanks

[StormySkiez]

You're welcome.

I would put him in the larger tank especially if the smaller tank is not cycled yet. Start saving for the larger tank now, he'll need it. I had to do the same thing. The person who sold us the 2 baby gsp's told us they would be fine in a 2.5g tank in fresh water. I moved them within a week to a 10g, then 2 months later they got a big christmas present, a 55g tank.

Check the ammonia & nitrite as often as possible. During the tank cycle process you may see harmful ammonia & nitrite. Do a water change. You will have to do a lot of WC's as the tank cycles to keep the tank safe for your puff. After the tank cycles you will be able to cut the water changes down to every 7 days or so. Everything should come together eventually.

[Pufferpunk]

All your quesions can be answered if you read the appropriate articles in our Library: library/category/water-filtration/