basic planted tank started...run with media from other tank?

[gnahc79]

So I have my 10 gal running with:

- Tahitian moon sand
- Standard 15W bulb, powerglo
- some low light plants
- water treated with Prime

I plan to add fish next week. Should I transfer one of the sponges that's been running in my 20 gal now and drop some food in every few days? Or should I wait until I add the fish?

 

[GirlieGirl8521]

Since you have the sponge available, I'd go ahead and move it to the 10g and add some fish food every few days, like you said, until you get fish. That way you shouldn't have to worry about tracking the cycle.

 

[gnahc79]

Done! I have some anubia nana, anubia barteri, java fern, wisteria, and amazon sword. We'll see how the sword turns out in this low tech tank .

 

[gnahc79]

so here's the initial setup (i plan on changing out the background to a solid blue or black), I'm a total noob on placement so please lemme know if any changes need to be made .

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i would add your new filter on the old tank let that build up bacteria then move it over. your still going to go though a cycle. it shouldnt last as long or be as bad. you can always hold of on the fish a little longer and keep up with the fishless cycle.

 

[gnahc79]

I added a new sponge to my 20 last week (3 total). In my 10 is one of the old sponges from the 20. I'll test the water each day, but I'm not sure I'll get any readings due to the plants and using Seachem Prime.

Another question: For a basic low tech 10 gal tank what kind of a fish load is needed if any to sustain the plants? Would just one paradise fish be enough? Or would I need a group of tetras?