Cycling Question

greensparrow

greensparrow

AC Members
Jul 30, 2010
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Castle Rock, CO
Ok.. I just bought a 125 gallon tank about 2 weeks ago and I am in the process of buying all the additional equipment needed (filter(s), gravel, decorations etc....) before I start cycling the tank. I currently have a 60 gallon tank and do weekly water changes on it. Well when I do my 50% water change at the end of each month, I was wondering if I could transfer this water to my 125 gallon tank and then fill the rest of the tank with tap water if this would quicken the process of cycling? I have heard that you can transfer some of the gravel from another tank to help out, but wasn't sure if I could do the same with water. I figured since I am about to do one (water change) at the end of August, I would ask around and see.

Another question I had... My 60 gallon tank has been running for about a month and a half with fish (after cycling) and was wondering if this was enough time for the "good bacteria" to form in the tank? Thanks!
 
The majority of your live bacteria are attached to surfaces. Sides of your tank, gravel, the media in your filters, etc..

Any bacteria present in the water itself is likely dead, so it won't help you out.

I've experimented with transferring water to cycling tanks and have never seen any difference. However, I've instantly or quickly cycled tanks by adding filter media or gravel.
If you add media from an established system you'll want it in contact with the biomedia in your new system, not just in the tank.
So if your new system is relying on HOB or canister filters for biofiltration you want to add the established media in direct contact with the media in those filters, not just drop it in the tank.
If you're running an undergravel filter the majority of your biological filtration is in your gravel, so that's an instance you can add gravel or other media directly to the bottom of the tank. Otherwise you're going to want the new media in contact with the media in your filters.
 
greensparrow said:
Thanks for the info! I also noticed the sticky above mentions the same thing. /facepalm.
Click to expand...
yep!

just transfer over about 3/4 of your filter media from your other tank. just make sure the tank is healthy and you are not going to transfer any disease or problems.

enjoy!
-chris
 
If it makes you more comfortable, I haven't fully cycled a tank in like 4-5 years.

I always transfer media from one of my other tanks, and it's never taken more than a few days to be fully cycled. Most of the time in fact I can add a few fish directly and it never registers enough ammonia or nitrite to show on the test.
 
Thanks for the helpe everyone. My 60 gallon has a HOB filter and was wondering if I could put one of the used carbon filters in my 125 gallon canister filter media tray. Would this help as well. I am not sure If I want to take out 3/4 of my gravel (had trouble finding more of this kind of gravel to replace what I would take out). Just wondering if the combination of the two would be alright?


Also since my 60 gallon tank has been running for almost a couple of months now, would this be enough time for bacteria to grow on my gravel and carbon filter?
 
greensparrow said:
Thanks for the helpe everyone. My 60 gallon has a HOB filter and was wondering if I could put one of the used carbon filters in my 125 gallon canister filter media tray. Would this help as well. I am not sure If I want to take out 3/4 of my gravel (had trouble finding more of this kind of gravel to replace what I would take out). Just wondering if the combination of the two would be alright?


Also since my 60 gallon tank has been running for almost a couple of months now, would this be enough time for bacteria to grow on my gravel and carbon filter?
Click to expand...

Any established filter media (carbon filter from an established tank would be one) will add beneficial bacteria to your filter.

Regarding your 60 gallon, I was somewhat confused as to whether you actually cycled it before you added fish, or you just let it run for awhile then added fish.

You said "running for about a month and a half with fish (after cycling) and was wondering if this was enough time for the "good bacteria" to form in the tank?"
But cycling by definition is adding an ammonia source (either pure ammonia, or something that produces it such as fish) and waiting until your bacterial colonies build up enough to sufficiently bring ammonia and nitrite to levels of 0ppm. If it was cycled BEFORE You added fish then that means you would have bacterial colonies in your tank before the addition of your fish. So I'm not quite sure what you're asking.
 
When I set-up my 150, I used media from my other cycled tanks in my cannister filter. I took gravel from an estblished tank and placed it in media bags around the bottom of the new tank. I transferred a few fish, waited a few days transferred a few more, etc. Never had an ammonia spike. When the tank was fully stocked (acouple of weeks) and tests were all good...no ammonia or nitite, 10-20 nitrate...I put the media packs of substrate back into the other tank.

I have always "cycled" from an existing tank with out ever an issue.
 
RiVerfishgirl said:
Any established filter media (carbon filter from an established tank would be one) will add beneficial bacteria to your filter.

Regarding your 60 gallon, I was somewhat confused as to whether you actually cycled it before you added fish, or you just let it run for awhile then added fish.

You said "running for about a month and a half with fish (after cycling) and was wondering if this was enough time for the "good bacteria" to form in the tank?"
But cycling by definition is adding an ammonia source (either pure ammonia, or something that produces it such as fish) and waiting until your bacterial colonies build up enough to sufficiently bring ammonia and nitrite to levels of 0ppm. If it was cycled BEFORE You added fish then that means you would have bacterial colonies in your tank before the addition of your fish. So I'm not quite sure what you're asking.
Click to expand...

My friend actually helped with the fishless cycle (before I put the fish in) so to be honest wasn't completely sure how it worked or how the bacteria was involved in the cycle process. That is why I am asking all these newb questions :duh:. I had read a couple of places that it took 4-6 months so was confused. Thanks for everyones help!
 
It's ok to ask "newb" questions. It's how you learn stuff. I figured you were just confused about the cycle process since if the tank was cycled that means there's bacteria.

4-6 months is an awfully long time for a cycle to take. Maybe in a system with really cold water, but even unheated tanks indoors won't generally take that long. Only like 2-3 months even with 65 degree water (my 65 degree native tank years ago took like 3 months).
With a tropical tank if everything goes normally you're looking at a month or two usually.
 
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