restarting 6 gallon-cycling question

[J-Aqua]

After a few years on hiatus from this forum, i'm finally back.

I've had my 15 gallon Eclipse System up and running for over four years, its inhabitants being 7 harlequin rasbora and a 3-4" Gold Nugget Pleco.

I've had my 6 gallon sitting around for quite some time and I'd like to get it set up, but am feeling a bit rusty in terms of the cycling process. I'd like to keep either a betta or a small school of pygmy cories in there and would love some suggestions as to the cycling process.

If I were to go with the "standard" cycling with fish, would it be wrong for me to think the betta might be ideal for cycling it being how hardy the fish tend to be?

 

[the_dougie]

whether or not they can survive the stressful cycling process, you should first ask yourself "Do I want to risk damaging my fish's lungs or other organs permanently by putting him through a cycle?"
We all know how hard it is to resist the temptation of putting in a pretty fish to watch it swim around before properly setting up the tank, but it's strongly advised to cycle it without using fish, for their sake.
If you really can't wait, and buying biro-spira isnt an option, they would probably be the best fish to cycle with, but be sure to do a fair amount of water changes to keep ammonia as low as possible.
I'm pretty sure there's some cycling forums you can look into.

 

[OrionGirl]

If you can, pull some of the media from the existing aquarium and put it in the filter for the 6. This will introduce the colonies of beneficial bacteria and you can immediately stock the tank, though lightly (one betta would be fine).

You can also seed the new tank with gravel, decorations from the main tank, and 'squeezings' from the filter of the established tank. The important point is that you'll need to test the tank and perform water changes if ammonia or nitrites are detectable to prevent damage to the fish. While many fish are hardy enough to survive the cycling spikes, it is not healthy for any of them.

 

[J-Aqua]

fair enough, just thought i'd see what people would have to say.

i'll plan on "seeding" the new tank with what I can from the old tank and taking it from there.

btw, what's biro-spira? i've used 'cycle' before but haven't heard of this product.

 

[the_dougie]

I personally don't use it but I know a lot of people who do. Apparently, Bio-spira (biro was a typo) Is basically an instant cycler. From what I know, it can only be ordered online.

 

[J-Aqua]

I think I may try taking some gravel from my established tank and put in a mesh bag within the gravel in the 6 gallon for starters....