Filter media donation thread?

[Lab_Rat]

What do y'all think of making a thread to indicate people willing to donate used filter media to new fishkeepers trying to cycle a tank? Pretty much anyone with an established, healthy tank could post that they would be willing to donate media. The person wanting the media would paypal the donor $6.50 which would cover a small flat rate box, delivery confirmation, and the paypal fee so the donor is not out any money.

Now just because someone signs up that they would be willing to donate doesn't mean they would have to donate every time they are contacted. For example, if my filters don't need a cleaning I'm not going to tear them apart. Otherwise, I'd be plenty happy to send a wad of used filter floss or an old cartridge I was going to throw out to help a new fishkeeper cycle their tank.

All transactions would be a private buyer/seller relationship, but I thought it might be nice to have anyone willing to donate sign up in a thread.

[MCHRKiller]

I would also be willing to send a piece of sponge or some ceramic rings.

For the life of me I do not understand why LFS do not setup a 10G in their back room and drip ammonia in it. It is a very cheap setup, takes up very little space and really outside of making sure there is some ammonia to be dripped there is nothing to really check on.

[Aeonflame]

Great idea!. I would donate but I dont think the BB would make it all the way over there.

[Cliff]

Great idea

I'm in. But considering were I live, I would have to restrict any shipment to within western Canada (and no USA shipments due to $$$$$)

[toddnbecka]

Only problem is, the bacteria will only survive for about 24 hours on the media outside of a working filter.

[FinalJenemba]

I would also be willing to send a piece of sponge or some ceramic rings.

For the life of me I do not understand why LFS do not setup a 10G in their back room and drip ammonia in it. It is a very cheap setup, takes up very little space and really outside of making sure there is some ammonia to be dripped there is nothing to really check on.

My guess is because the fish store makes more money selling new fish to people who keep killing their fish not cycling properly then they would make selling cycled filter media.

[gm72]

Good thought but the bacteria wouldn't survive the shipment.

[Lady Hobbs]

I would think this also a good idea but certainly some ammonia should be added to the bag of media to keep bacteria alive?

[Trillianne]

Since BB doesn't survive long without a source... perhaps a pin map identifying where donators are would be of good use... and people establishing new tanks could find the nearest pin person and send them a pm?

I'd say for personal safety issues... perhaps only pin to your city/general area and not your exact home, and if you decide to do an in-person swap, use care and meet in a public place though.

[MCHRKiller]

I wonder if a breather bag was used along with few drops of ammonia you wouldnt get up to the 2 day mark on having some arrive alive. Which with priority shipping would get media into the surrounding states of where a donor lives.