Cycle question...

[Dwarf Puffers]

Can I quickly cycle my tank by putting gravel from a cycled into the filter?? if so, could inhabitants (shrimp or fish?) be in as it happens? and how long should I do this if its pausible?

[kmail5776]

Can I quickly cycle my tank by putting gravel from a cycled into the filter?? if so, could inhabitants (shrimp or fish?) be in as it happens? and how long should I do this if its pausible?

adding gravel, ornaments, and filter floss from an established tank into a new tank is called seeding, and yes, it does speed up the cycle time. Inhabitants in the tank during the process us called a fishy cycle. People cycle their tanks that way all the time. Not sure about that last question . . .

[J double R]

dont put seeded gravel into the filter.. you risk ruining the impeller. just mix the seeded gravel in with the new gravel and you'll be fine. :)

[kmail5776]

may its this -> the nitrogen cycle is a cycle. There is no end, its continuous. You should really just watch your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels like a hawk with liquid or paper test kits.

[Dwarf Puffers]

Ok, I'll add some gravel and plants from my 30g, I was just wondering "How the h-e-l-l am I going to house that pregnant amano and those cherry shrimp I'm going to order from Bill?!"

[LittlePuff]

You can wait until the cycle is finished.

[captaincrampton]

I agree with littlepuff you should wait till the cycle is over, but if you must get the fish you would have to do very frequent water changes to keep the ammonia and nitrite levels down. With the gravel, if you don't want it mixed with your other gravel you can put it into unused and uncleaned nylon stocking, I would rinse it but no soap or laundry detergent, until you get your cycle going. Here are a couple of sites that might help:
http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=376&theme=Printer

http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/management/kumar_nitrogen.html

[Dwarf Puffers]

Nvm, I guess im in no big rush, the baby amanos are brackish and need infusoria, im gunna try my best but im hopeing that atleast they dont suffer a painful death...

[Mgamer20o0]

a cycling tank is just going to be stressful. seeding the tank can cut the time in half.

[LittlePuff]

Or get Bio-Spira.