Skip cycling...

I never cycle tanks anymore.

I always take water and filter media and add it to the new tanks and go from there. Just make sure not to over stock right away. Stay with a small bioload to allow the bacteria to catch up.

You should see a bloom not to long after the new tank gets going.

It is possible, but I think you'd be best served to test it out with some pure ammonia to be on the safe side.

I suppose it also depends on how many fish you are thinking of adding right away and how big the tank is that you are taking the rings from.

Let me correct something that was said here, your nitrifying bacteria in not present in your water but on surface such as filter media, rocks, gravel or the surface of glass.
Even if you use materials from an established tank to seed your need, it must go through a cycling period. The only thing youare doing by using a filter media or gravel from an established tank is to speed up the cycling process.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

and filled it up with dechlorinated water.

Click to expand...

Are you using a water conditioner to dechlorinate water?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As an experience aquarist I always advice on fishless cycling but many have succefully cycled tanks using various fishes such as platies, guppies, mollies, zebra danios and others.

Rohn


Rohn

A healthy established tank is constantly cycling. It turns NH3/4 into NO2 into NO3. Thats the Nitrogen Cycle.

Establishing the cycle can take any amount of time from several months to more or less instantaneously if you take enough established media and move it to a new tank.

A little fishless style test wouldn't hurt. Add ammonia to 2-3ppm and if you're at double zeros the next day then the Cycle has been established in that tank. Ready to go.

I just set up another tank to put some of my ram fry in ....the 15 is getting a bit crowded.

I had 2 nylon bags of gravel in the 15....a place for the bacteria to live...(it's a bare bottom tank)....took one of the bags out and put it in the new 10 gallon. Added a seeded filter and bio-wheel and half of the water from the 15 gallon and also took half of the java moss from the 15 as well. I did a 20% water change the next day and will check my parameters today to see how they are....and do another water change if I have to.

I've added about 30 of the little fry to the new tank, so will have to keep an eye on things I'm sure. They sure look happy with all that extra room not having to bump into anyone. These fry are about 6-7 weeks old.

in general

In general if you have the time, best to run a new filter alongside the old filter for a week or so, then divide the fish and move one filter to the new tank. Moving the old filter is marginally better, as it has lots of bacteria and new filter remains in tank that has some bacteria in filter and all surfaces of tank has bacteria.

You should be fine. You may want to add some floss or sponges just in case too. Also be sure to watch your levels for the first week or two.