Instant Cycle??

[Kiara1125]

I was using my 2.5g as a QT tank, but today I cleaned it out properly (no soap or chemicals) and set it back up again. I added water, gravel, Java Moss, a heater, and a sponge filter all from one of my already established tanks. I got a new filter for my other tank and ran it in the established tank for 3 weeks and I had an extra heater, so I'm good there. I'm just wondering: since I set up my 2.5 like this, would it be considered instantly cycled?? I'm gonna use the tank for my fry, hence the sponge filter.

 

[Thyra]

Well, I guess it would depend on what the water tested. It should be,but until you do that you won't really know. Also I would be real cautious when you add any fish to test the water daily.

 

[Kiara1125]

Ok, I'll walk to my lfs and check it today after school. My dad got me test strips for Christmas. He said, "Here!! Now you don't have to go and check your water anymore!! It's a one month supply!!" Me, "Dad....these are pH test strips." *face to desk*

 

[skjl47]

Hi y'all; the sponge filter should have had a population of bb living in and on it. This bb would be ready to consume their food source,ammonia, from any fish, snails and such placed in the new setup. It is my understanding, that If you do not put fish, snails and such, that you should put something in the tank to rot. This apparently will produce the ammonia needed to keep the bb alive.
I have done the sort of thing you describe many times and have been able to put fish into the new setup right away. My take is that it may be possible to over stock a new setup and the bb will not be able to handle the excess ammonia untill they reproduce in sufficent numbers.
Even before I came to know about what is now called cycling, I learned to stock a tank gradually. I also have tried to keep a supply of the free floating water plants on hand and would always throw a bunch into a new setup (rooted plants apparently do the same thing, but require a substrate.) I am in the process of reconciling the lessons learned over a few decades with the concept of what is now called cycling. My take is that the snails and plants i came to rely on are a big factor in starting a quick cycle in a new setup.

 

[Kiara1125]

Ok, this morning I put in 2 Guppies and 5 Platy fry.

 

[prhelp]

just thoughts

Kiara, I feel for you -- when I was younger, I had a small town and nothing to do. Had to walk everywhere.

On the other hand, please know your Dad loves you -- he bought you what he thought you wanted most. He was probably really excited about nailing the gift idea. Problem is, he simply doesn't know as much about fish as you do.

So it's a good time to remember that "it's the thought that counts" in Portage.

You sound like a good fishkeeper.

Good luck!