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Ok, newbie scored a 55g and eheim classic for a song and needs to set up for tropical freshwater. The canister looks comple, but empty. So after I scrub everything clean I need to load the canister with media I assume? Suggestions very welcomed here. Also I need to cycle the tank, or drop some chemicals and wait? Thanks...

Welcome to FP!

Congrats on getting your hands on a 55g and eheim cannister filter. its one of the more reliable brands ive had mine for quite a few years now.

i have a classic 2213 running on a 20g and its got a media basket which i fill with ceramic noodles in teh bottom.. filter rocks (im not quite sure if they have a more tech name) and then the green sponge that should come with it followed by carbon (optional) and filter wool at the top.

as for cycling it this can be done with fish or fishless (IMO fishless may take a tad longer)
this of course depends on what fish you plan on having in the tank as there are hardy species such as danios which are perfect for cycling.. but only if you plan on keeping them.

otherwise you can cycle the tank using a product such as "Cycle" which helps establish your bacteria colony.

you can read more on cycling tanks in the FAQ section on this site.

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Hi,
Welcome to FP!

Here is an article on fish less cycling:

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article14.html

Many of us prefer to use the fish less cycling.
When cycling with fish, frequently the fish hardy enough
to withstand the large peaks in ammonia and nitrite are not
the fish we want to ultimately have in the tank and so once
the tank is cycled, we are faced with unwanted fish and
frequently the LFS does not want them back. What to do..
start a second tank? Fish less cycling is a more "modern"
way of cycling a tank and is obviously more humane.
As far as the length of time necessary to cycle the tank,
they are both the same if not a bit shorter for fish less.
The duration depends upon the size of the tank and the
amount of ammonia present. You either cram a bunch of
fish, or a couple of large messy ones in the tank, or you
add a few extra drops of ammonia.

Frank


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