How filter is inoculated
The nitrifiers multiply very slowly. It therefore takes a long time until the nitrite peak occurs and then the nitrite has disappeared. Without vaccination it takes at least 2 to 3 weeks. In order for a new filter to break in more quickly, it can be inoculated in several ways.
- Line up the new filter and squeeze out the old filter’s filter sponge or filter substrate in front of the new filter’s suction cup.
- Add filter sludge from an old filter to the new filter or to the aquarium water. Turn on the filter.
- Put unwashed filter material from an old filter into the new filter.
- Fill some aquarium water into the filter pot. Wash out filter material from an old filter in it. Equip the filter with filter material and assemble it. Fill up with aquarium water. Wait an hour or two. Close the filter outlet stopcock almost completely. Start the filter and gradually increase the filter flow.
- About every 3 days for 6 weeks, grind very little food into a fine powder and add it to the aquarium. The fine powder is better distributed in the water and the surface area for bacteria is larger.
- Mix a lot of feed and sludge from an old filter in a bucket of water. Pour the mixture into the filter or aquarium. Turn on the filter. There may be a stench. Fish do not survive in the mix.
Through massive inoculation with a lot of old filter sludge, a nitrite value below 0.1 mg/liter can be reached within one to two days. The process can and should be monitored with a nitrate test.