How can you "quick cycle" a tank?

[ILOVEBETTAS]

I want my tank to cycle as quickly as possible. How can I do that?

[icecubez189]

buy a packet of Bio-spira, you can add almost your entire stock of fish right after adding Bio-spira into your tank. its pricey and theres always a chance that you get a bad batch (better chance of success though). cycles your tank in less than a week or a couple of days.

[Marinemom]

You can use Bio-Spira which you add to the tank at the same time as all of the fish you want and you suppossedly will be cycled in a matter of days. I have not used it but the reports are favorable on this product. It does tend to be a bit expensive though. Just make sure that it has been kept refrigerated until you use it so the live bacteria is still good. I still perfer the old fashioned way of cycling a tank either with some very hardy fish that can withstand the rigors of a tank that is cycling or even better yet doing a fishless tank cycling. It takes more time this way but it is the tride and true method that always works.

Marinemom

[ILOVEBETTAS]

Okay... What about taking out some of the water from the cycling tank and putting in some water from an established tank?

[johnlarson66]

I would use your filter or filter media from your existing tank.

Gravel and other stuff is good.

The water will not help. The "good stuff" is in the media and gravel.

[ILOVEBETTAS]

okay then. i'll use some decor from my goldfish tank.

[icecubez189]

decor won't be nearly enough IME, swoosh around your filters media in the water, and transfer some gravel (which has a lot of established bacteria).

[ILOVEBETTAS]

Okay, i have a shubunkin, some established gravel, some established decor, and some establshed filter media in there. Plus I have a bio-wheel in the tank's real filter. How long do you think it'll take to cycle?

[Ruben Tolon]

I've used the method of utilizing Bio Spira with filter media from another tank, and it has been a great success.

[tankfan]

you cant go wrong by taking your filter pad/media and putting it in the filter for your new set up. The water temperature in this tank should be pretty close, as any drastic change in temp can also kill your bacteria. Ive done this with every set up after my original tank and had no problems whatsoever. In sayin that, it would still be a good idea to test your tank water for ammonia every now and then to make sure that there isnt an ammonia spike that may harm your fish. As this may depend on the number of fish being put in right away.--*Bio_load.

[Rallysman]

Whenever I'm setting a new tank up I use the extra media that I have shoved in random filters for that purpose. I also add established sponge filters and squeeze other sponges into the tank. Then I add the fish:) I have set up several tanks this way within a couple of hours and never have had a problem doing it.

[rosita]

Whenever I'm setting a new tank up I use the extra media that I have shoved in random filters for that purpose. I also add established sponge filters and squeeze other sponges into the tank. Then I add the fish:) I have set up several tanks this way within a couple of hours and never have had a problem doing it.

I've done pretty much the same thing several times now, and have had the tanks cycle very quickly. Maybe not as fast as Levi, but within a day for sure. It's a great way to not torture fish.

[Importskyline22]

I've done pretty much the same thing several times now, and have had the tanks cycle very quickly. Maybe not as fast as Levi, but within a day for sure. It's a great way to not torture fish.


Really? within a day! thats sweet.

So, i put my filter media in my dads established tank. HOw long do i leave it there before its good enought o put back in my tank.

Would it be cycled then?

[Rallysman]

My motto: If you have an established filter, you have an established tank. There are a few other things to consider, like differences in water parameters, but that's nothing that a drip for a couple of hours cant cure.

[Shagmaster]

My motto: If you have an established filter, you have an established tank.
I agree. there are people that keep LARGE tanks that are bare-bottom. No gravel or rocks. maybee some driftwood. the filter media is what, 85 90% of your biospira culture. The rest is minimal.

[Tinajo]

Whenever I'm setting a new tank up I use the extra media that I have shoved in random filters for that purpose. I also add established sponge filters and squeeze other sponges into the tank. Then I add the fish:) I have set up several tanks this way within a couple of hours and never have had a problem doing it.

So-you're talking about just using the filter media and Not the Bio-Spira at all?

[sirasoni]

Yeah if you already have established filter media you don't need to use bio-spira

[lemans81]

In answer to the question on when its cycled...the only way to tell is to get a test kit(or have water tested)

[Rallysman]

So-you're talking about just using the filter media and Not the Bio-Spira at all?
Correct. Why buy bacteria when a lot of other tanks already have it?:)

[desertgoldhound]

Keep an extra filter around for just this reason. You never know when the bug will bite you next and you just have to cure it with a new tank.