Established tank to new

[psilo]

Yesterday I bought a 25 gallon tank and set it up using almost entirely (roughly 80%) water from my other established tanks. The sponge of the new filter i left soaking in an established tank and added it. What type of cycle regime should i expect from this kind of set up? I took readings from my water and at present they are at 0 for ammonia, nitrates, nitrites and ph neutral. Temperature is 78f.

[Marinemom]

The method that you used to set up your new tank is one that I have used for years to set up a new tank. Depending on how long the other sponge was left in the established tank will determine the kind of cycle that you have or you may not even see one, in which case you are already cycled. However, you do need to check your water on a daily basis for a minimum of a week, preferbly more before you can add any fish. If your readings remain at 0 for at least a week with no flucuation then you can add a few fish. Then you need to continue to monitor the water and see where your readings are. Of course keep up on your water changes and if the readings get high be ready to do a water change ASAP if necessary.

What kind of filteration do you have set up for this tank? Is the sponge from the other tank temporary or is it part of the new filteration system?

Marinemom

[Star_Rider]

if you are placing a seeded filter into the new tank you will need to get 'food' for the bacteria asap.
typically, when you add a seeded sponge from an existing tank you can add fish (small load) immediately.
but you do need to watch the water parameters as you may see a mini cycle.

how well that sponge is seeded varies and is dependant on the amount of time you had that sponge in the existing tank.

on the flipside, since you have an existing tank you have a source for live bacteria.

you can simply add bacteria when you need it by squeezing the sponge from the existing tank into the filter of the new tank(you can also add the squeezins directly to the water to..but sionce the bacteria colonse in the filer that's where I usually add it.

with work and a little luck you can establish bacteria and cycle the tank in 4-5 days(yes days)

[Marinemom]

Yes, feed the tank as if fish were already in it to keep the bacteria alive. Or do you have fish in there already? Either way just put a little fish food in there and then see how it goes.

Marinemom

[mostlycichlids]

I would say a week or less I have done this on all of my tanks and ammonia and nitrite barely even show up on the scale and are gone almost the next day by the end of the week you should see nitrates. Just remember not to overstock too soon and do not over feed. Any of these could overload the bacteria and lead to another mini cycle without you knowing. Keep an eye on the levels weekly for a couple of weeks to make sure everything is still in line.

[psilo]

Thankyou for all your replies. The sponge was only in the established tank for about 10 minutes but the water i added was made up of some poop from the bottom as i thought it would help kick start the bacteria. Some of the gravel also came from another established tank. I have a couple of male platies that i have always used to cycle my tanks and tomorrow i will clean one of my established filters and squeeze it out into the new one.
One last question I want to use this tank as a grow out tank for my livebearer fry. Do you think the tank would be ok for them by the end of the first week if the readings are ok or should i stock it with just a few adult fish for starters to see how the readings go?

[Marinemom]

I would stock with some adult fish first and see how it goes. I say this only because fry can be very sensitive to water conditions. Use the adults first and then when the time comes you can move them to another tank and use this tank for the fry.

Marinemom

[psilo]

Yes that is what i was thinking. Thanks for your input marinemom :thm:

[Ms.Bubbles]

Leaving a sponge soaking in an established tank for 10 minutes is not going to do much to speed up the cycle of your tank. That's hardly enough time for bacteria to set up house and multiply, especially since water wasn't even flowing through it.

I would take some of the filter media from your established tank and put it in with your new filter.

Otherwise, you'll be subjecting all new fish to considerable ammonia and nitrites, because your tank is not cycled yet. If you're concerned, you can finish off the tank's cycle by dosing ammonia or fish food for a while to ride out the cycle, then add your fish.