One cycled, two to go-whats the best way?

[jillire]

Our 20 gallon tank is now cycled and the fish and snails are in their new home. My daughter is getting a 14 gallon tank for Christmas and Im going to set up a 5 gallon tank in my classroom. I know I can use the cycled tank to get the other two tanks cycled faster, but Im not totally sure how to do it. Can I put the filter media from the other two tanks in the cycled tank or does it need to actually be in the filter? All three tanks have different filters too, so Im not sure how to do it if it needs to be in the filter.

[MySpace Mike]

Best way is to use the entire filter, because benificial bacteria set up shop not only in the media, but along the intake tube too.

[KarlTh]

Move half the media to the new filter. The original filter will be back up to complement in around 24 hours.

[Stargazer53]

You could move some of your gravel from your fully cycled tank into your new tanks. Either that, or as said, you could move some of the filter media from your cycled tank's filter into your new filters. You could also head start your bacteria colony by starting your filters now in your established tank. That way, when you're ready, you can remove the newer filters and set them up in your new tanks. Although the bacteria colony would be little or minimal, it would still be better than nothing. Good luck! :)

[danclark]

run your new filters in tandum on your cycled tank but with your old media in them. with new media in your old filters, for a while to colonize them before you set up the new ones. or exchange some substrate or media between tanks. or use some of your old water in your new tanks.

[ianab]

One way is to buy your new filters first and set them up in the already cycled tank. They will pick up bacteria from the existing sytem, and there is allways a trace of ammonia to feed them. After a couple of weeks you can take them out and put them in the new tank.

The new tank wont be fully cycled, but it will have some working cycle and be safe for a few fish. Then build up the numbers over time.

You can also play about with moving media and gravel, but pre-cycling the filter works well.

Ian

[Rbishop]

Move half the media to the new filter. The original filter will be back up to complement in around 24 hours.


One way is to buy your new filters first and set them up in the already cycled tank. They will pick up bacteria from the existing sytem, and there is allways a trace of ammonia to feed them. After a couple of weeks you can take them out and put them in the new tank.

The new tank wont be fully cycled, but it will have some working cycle and be safe for a few fish. Then build up the numbers over time.

You can also play about with moving media and gravel, but pre-cycling the filter works well.

Ian



yeppers.....

[Michwol42795]

Filters would be the best way but you can transfer gravel, rocks, whatever into a new aquarium and the bacteria that colonize on the surface would be transfered. Although this doesn't automatically cycle the tank, you still need to stock the tank slowly. Cycling cant be rushed so dont think this is automatic.