How to safely accelerate a cycle?

[clownfish]

I'm taking my tank with me to university and move in day is tomorrow. The tank is emptied and ready to go with it's four occupants (3 neons and 1 pink gourami) in a smaller established tank.

However, the tank is considerably smaller and I don't think my fish are as happy in it as they would be in the large tank. Additionally, my parents aren't too thrilled with the idea of caring for them until the new tank is ready.

Thus, I propose this: How can I safely speed up the cycling process to move my guys into their home asap? I'm planning on adding new fish once the tank is established so if I need guinnea pig fish, it's not a problem.

If I set the tank up, could I add some hardly tropicals like guppies to speed up the cycling or would I be better to just do a fishless cycle? Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you :D

[ChilDawg]

Can you keep them in the established tank for a bit while you have some Bio-Spira shipped to you at school?

[clownfish]

I've heard mixed reviews about that product. Some people love it others doubt it even works... Does anyone here have experience with it?

[BluEyes]

Take their tank and filter with you. Especially if your move isn't very far, there'll be no problem.
Those nitrifying bacteria are tougher than people give them credit for. When I moved cross-country, I brought the filter sponges for my filter in a plastic bag. They spent a WEEK in the car, no 'food' no fresh air, high heat at times, etc... When I got here and set up the tank to cycle it, the cycle was almost instant.

[PureEvil]

I am on day 3 of a new tank.

I added biospira to a 55 gallon with 12 fish.

The tank and equiptment are all new. No outside help from my
other established tank.

Amm is still at 0
Nitrites still at 0

Waiting for some Nitrates to show up

So far so good! I can report back every few days to update you on this product.

Russ

[Gunnie]

I have used bio spira twice with excellent results. The last time I used it was in a new 100 gal. tank with 2 oscars, 2 jack dempseys, & 1 large pleco. That was 2 months ago. I'd try & find it locally if you can, but it is hard to find. If you can't find it locally, you can order it at www.fishstoretn.com. That's where I got mine. I think you will very satisfied with the results.

[yashinfan]

Well clownfish, unless you have tens of thousands of dollars to go to university in the States, you're out of luck with BioSpira because it's ILLEGAL in Canada!!!!!!! (ps-where are you going to university as you are the same age as me then)
So the thing to do is to keep your substrate in some tank water and try and keep the filter media in tank water as well. Then your tank will have the good bacteria ready to jump start your tank when you set it up!


PS- Blow Leafs Blow, Senators'll take the cup!

[clownfish]

"Blow Leafs Blow, Senators'll take the cup!"

Oh thanks, I needed a good laugh. :D ;)

As for the Biospira... *@^!#$&* It sounded like a really good solution. As for university, I'm heading to University of Toronto so I guess it's no Biospira for me. Are you 100% sure it's illegal? If so, why?

Are you an older double cohort student or a younger?

[yashinfan]

Yea, I'm sure. It's because it's "live" bacteria and it could trigger huge biological changes if used in outside eco-systems, apparently... but yea, no can do. Unless you smuggle it? lol. U of T, eh? I'm going to Queen's. I don't like Toronto :D

[clownfish]

Torontonians aren't that bad... What are you studying at Queens? My friend is going to Queens this year, we're planning to make an appearance at a Sens game as your platinum tickets aren't $400+ and there isn't a 15 year waiting list for them :rolleyes:

As for the BioSpira, I thought that might be the case. I was a little suspicious that I wouldn't be able to bring it north. Bah humbug.

On a good note, I just broke my filter trying to open the darn thing... no wait, that sucks :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Gunnie]

I asked Bernie at the site where I ordered mine from, and he has shipped to Canada many times with not problems except for the mail service being slow. He also said he ships worldwide, even Australia. He said if it was illegal, it would be on the customs illegal products list, and bio spira isn't on the list. You may want to go to www.marineland.com site and find out if there are any distributors in Canada.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Who cares if its illegal or not. Put it in with all of your fish stuff and no one is going to say anything. And I seriously doubt anyone would say anything anyway. If it really is illegal, that would be very stupid, it's an aquarium product for God sakes.

[yashinfan]

Hey, I didn't make the rules! They don't sell it in Canada, and I asked why to my papa who is in the government and he asked some other people higher up and then 4-6 weeks later (heehe) I got a response that it was illegal. I'm sure the customs officers don't open up packages from fish owners, etc.. So you could probably get it shipped to you?

Ps- I'm taking political science, and I'm only a youngin' 17.