Keeping the biological filtration alive in a cleared out tank?

[symplysymphysodon]

Hi all,

I used to have a big tank with goldfish in it. The goldfish are now in their own big pond outside. They were taken out 2 days ago. I had tested the water chemistry while the goldfish were still in the tank, and the biological filtration was working perfectly. I am now converting the big tank over to keep some discus. The tank is now all set up with the correct water temperature and chemistry to suit the discus. But, at the moment, there are just pebbles and lots of fake plants in it, ie, there are no live plants or fish in the tank whatsoever. The problem is...how long will the bacteria in the biological filtration keep living without waste product from any living plants or fish inside the aquarium? Should I drop in some flaked food once a day, just to give the biological filtration bacteria something to eat?!? I plan to put in some Anubias plants on driftwood in about 2 or 3 days. I plan to go out on a discus buying spree in about 1.5 weeks. Will the biological filtration bacteria starve in the meantime which means I will have to cycle the whole tank again from scratch?!?

Thanks for any advice!
Andrew

[rich311k]

You can add an ammonia source to keep the tank cycled. Pure ammonia, a raw shrimp or fish food would all work.