Speeding Up Cycling

J

jonathan03

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Feb 12, 2005
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I am trying to setup a new tank for some red cherry shrimp. These shrimp are expensive so it is important to be sure the tank is cycled. However, I also want to get them in their own tank so the babies won't be eaten.

I am trying to cycle a 10 gallon tank quickly. I have filled the tank with water and I am letting it sit for 24 hours. I am planning to add a penguin filter that has been running in another tank for years (and is still running so the bacteria is still alive). I'm sure this will greatly help the tank cycle.

My question is, how long should it take the 10 gallon tank to cycle with the used filter? I don't think the tank can be deemed cycled just with the addition of the filter, can it? I can also add some gravel from my other running tanks into a breeder box so it can be pulled out when the tank is cycled.

Last, how do I know when the tank is cycled? I think the nitrates or nitirites will be zero in a water test but I don't remember. Thanks for the help.
 
Your ammonia and nitrites should reach zero, then your nitrates will start to climb. Are you doing fishless cycling? I haven't done it(heck I've only had my tank set up for 2 months now), but I think you need to add ammonia as you go to give the bacteria something to feed on. If you don't the good bateria that you are adding with your filter is just going to die, then the bacteria that eat the nitrites will die. I've also heard that adding a few handsfull of gravel from your established tank will help establish the bacteria colonys. If the old gravel doesn't match the new gravel you can put it in a mesh bag or a clean sock or something and sink it, then remove it once you're all cycled. Someone with more experience will surely be along momentarily and can give more/better info! ;)
 
You could use biospira. Its a product that you add to quicken cycling. I think there is like beneficial bacteria in the bottle. It only takes a week or so to cycle with that product, though I've no experience with it.

Or you could do fishless cylcing by adding ammonia. OR, you could cyle with fish by adding a bunch of cheap fish into the tank and letting them get the tank ready.
 
WinterWind said:
You could use biospira. Its a product that you add to quicken cycling. I think there is like beneficial bacteria in the bottle.
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I have heard various reviews of this. Some people said it worked like a champ and others said it was a waste. I believe that it needs to be refrigerated to keep the bacteria alive and viable.
 
Ok so heres the things I will try:

1) Adding the running filter from another tank
2) Adding some gravel into a breeder box and sink it
3) Add some live bacteria - I have a different brand than biospa, but it has worked before

I have some zebra danios from my other tanks that I can add. Will a fishless cycle be any faster than a fishy cycle? I have always used fish before.

Will live plants help any? I can add some cuttings from my other tanks. I plan to plant the tank I'm trying to cycle anyway.
 
I have some zebra danios from my other tanks that I can add. Will a fishless cycle be any faster than a fishy cycle? I have always used fish before.
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Sure, add the zebras :)

Your cycling time will be cut short because you have alot bacteria to already help get things going! :D

Just to play it safe though, you should test for ammonia and nitrite just to make sure that they read 0 on the chart.

And if those two read 0 then your tank is cycled.

Then what I would do, is do a small water change (just to keep nitrates down).

Then start to look for more fish :)
 
These are great example of speeding up the cycling process and adding NH3 to a new tank. One method I use in my SW and FW tank is to add NH3 is to simply to add a large cooked cocktail shrimp. AS the shrimp decay it will provide the NH3 neccessary to kick start the nitrogen cycle.

Rohn
 
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