Creative cycling solution needed

[Evad]

I have a 120 gallon tank for my brazilian rainbow boa and partitioned off an 18x18 inch area with 6 inches of water, around 7-10 gallons. I have an internal power filter rated for 140 gph and i'm looking to have the water area cycled to help break down ammonia and lower the maintenance load a little bit.

*important* I have a well eatablished 90 gallon aquarium with pristine water quality and 23 year old clown loaches to prove it. I can use water and material from this tank to jumpstart the process.

Does this sound reasonable? what could I do to help make this work and what will I need. Any advice would be great

Thanks

[pjaldave]

What is the partition for? And 140 gph is nowhere near the amount of filtration you want for that size of a tank.

Transferring water form your established tank will not do anything. transferring your filter or the media in it will help.

And, for the record, it doesn't mean that if you have 23 y/o fish that you're a good fishkeeper. Just saying.

I will just cycle the tank fishless.

[Goes to 11!]

Are you saying that you want to only filter the 7g area of the tank? To what purpose?

Is this partition waterproof? I mean does it separate the 7g of water completely from the rest of the water in the tank or is it flow-through?

If the latter - This simply will not work, If the former - Is there a reason you don't simply use a rubbermaid contained or a cheap 10g tank?

The water column contains no BB as mentioned and will not be of any benefit. [Asking about this says more to us than the loaches btw]

Post pics of the Clown loach tank please, Love to see those giant loaches!!

[escamosa]

And, for the record, it doesn't mean that if you have 23 y/o fish that you're a good fishkeeper. Just saying.

It sure doesn't mean that he's NOT a good fishkeeper either! Just saying.

Evad, the easiest way to go about your problem would be to run the filter that you are going to be putting in the 120g on your 90g. Let it run for a month or more, then the media inside it should be cycled enough for your 120g.

[Evad]

sorry, I clearly did not give a good explanation.

First off, the 120 gallon tank is for my brazilian rainbow boa, it is a 6 and a half foot long snake.

Secondly, the area I am talking about is the only area in the tank with water. I sectioned the area off with glass and really strong/safe silicone. It is the bathing/drinking area for the snake.

Now, I am trying to have these 7 gallons cycled so that the maintenance is more like that of a small fish tank and not a water bowl.

Lastly, I would be hapy to post a picture of the loaches once this is figured out. I have a rather large fluval cannister filter for that and the tank is connected to water pipes for automatic water changes. However, setting up a 7 gallon area that can slow down the harmful effects of snake mess is a little more complicated. Any suggestions?

[Goes to 11!]

Ah...

Ok, So my first question is how are you going to maintain the BB colony in the filter if the snake only bathes and drinks out of the 7g. Surely he does not poo in his drinking water, With no source of ammonia the BB won't last.

Provided that happens I have a follow up.

Secondly: Considering this is drinking water, Is the dechlor you will require to keep the BB from being destroyed during WC going to be safe for the snakes consumption.

[Evad]

That's what I'm wondering. I am hoping to find out how I can establish a really
strong syst in the water so that if
the snake did poo in its water, the water would remain safe enough until it is noticed and scooped out. I have no problem
with putting pond snails
or fish into the water. The snake would probably crush any live plants though. The snake doesn't
soil her water at the moment but this is a much larger body of water with places to climb overhead.

For the dechlor, its use is actually
recommended. Doesn't chlorine evaporate though?

[Goes to 11!]

That's what I'm wondering. I am hoping to find out how I can establish a really
strong syst in the water so that if
the snake did poo in its water, the water would remain safe enough until it is noticed and scooped out. I have no problem
with putting pond snails
or fish into the water. The snake would probably crush any live plants though. The snake doesn't
soil her water at the moment but this is a much larger body of water with places to climb overhead.
I really have no idea what is safe enough for a snake - sorry.

For the dechlor, its use is actually
recommended. Doesn't chlorine evaporate though?

Chlorine does gas off yes. HOWEVER, Chloramine does not and many if not all municipal water systems use chloramine instead of chlorine for this very reason. They don't lose it to the air.

Chloramine and chlorine both though are instant death to BB so you cannot put water containing either through your filter or you lose your cycle.

Here is where dechlor is not only recommended, It is absolutely required.

[isaactifist]

At risk of sounding rude, its probably more of a snake forum sorta thing?

[Evad]

Although I do use dechlor, interesting to know about the chloramine. I wouldnt have put any in that water.

The reason why i'm asking in here is because the snake forum people don't
know about cycling or fish. I'm essentially trying to create a 7-10 gallon fish tank but the sole purpose of this tank isnt for show, its purely for an environment with good bacteria and a strong cycle.

I just need to know what fish, how many, snails? Just what should I put in there to create the strongest cycle...Snails to clean the glass, a pleco for waste? I have no idea. Assume everything is safe for the reptile when you give suggestions and i'll do the safety research on my own