cycling question...please help!

[wigglejaggles]

hey now all,

I have one 10 gallon that is established, and I now have another one that is all set up, but needs to be cycled.
I have an aquaclear 150 filter for the new tank. Can I run the aquaclear 150 in my established tank for three or four weeks and then simply move the filter over to the new tank and magic....a cycled tank?

I have been trying to figure out an easy way to cycle my new tank by using my established tanks bacteria.

I have a pair of gouramis and the male honey has become way too aggresive towards the dwarf flame. I want to put the dwarf flame in the new tank as soon as possible.
Could I perhaps take out one of the sponges running in my aquaclear 200 in the established tank....cut it in half and stack that up inthe 150? would that work?

Please help me out and let me know if any of these methods will work.

I have three otocinclus and the honey and flame in the 10 gallon.


thanks!!!

take care,
jared

 

[OrionGirl]

Either option will work. When I set up my new 55, I just took one of the sponges from my AC300 on a planted 40, and put it in the new filter. I didn't add the entire fish load at once, but a few each week, and it's never spiked at all.

 

[wigglejaggles]

thanks orion girl!!

thanks you so much!!!!

now the new tank was rinsed according to your directions I found on using oxyclean.

do I have to worrya bout it being rinsed perfectly? I rinsed well, but i am paranoid about putting my dwarf flame in the new tank worrying that some oxyclean might be left over. The new tank has been running for almost a week and I just did a water change and wiped the inside glass down.

thanks again orion girl for the quick reply!!!!

take care,
jared

 

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't worry at all. I've used oxyclean on many tanks--all of my quarantine setups, in fact, and I just poured out the water and rinsed it once before using it. Never had a problem. I soak my algae scrapers in a jar with oxyclean, run them under the faucet for 20-30 seconds, and use them in the SW setups, and have not had any problems there either.

 

[wigglejaggles]

thanks!

Thank you so much orion girl!

all of you veterans who help us newbies out....thank you for taking the time to help us!!

I don't know what in the world I would be doing with my fish if it weren't for the knowledgable folks on this forum!

I cut the 200 foam inserts in half and put half of them intot he 150. I put three plastic plants into the new tank along with a rock. I also put in a few handfuls of gravel into the new tank.
My dwarf flame is in the new tank and he is doing well I think. He didn't lose color and readily ate some frozen brine shrimp I gave him.

The honey in the established tank lost its color through the ordeal....water change, moving of plants and rock etc... but it is slowly coming back. he too readily ate. the new otos look scared as anything and havent moved through it all.

take care,
Jared