Jumpstarting your cycling

[doublethink]

I was wondering if this would work:

Lets say you have a 10g tank and a new 20g tank. You want to cycle your 20g tank. When you do water changes for the 10g tank, couldn't you just empty the water into the 20g tank? I know the nitrate level would be high, but wouldn't this kickstart the cycling process.

Has anybody done this before? If so, did it work?

 

[AndyL]

I don't know about your method, but in theory the bacteria you need is mostly in your filter media, so it might help, but it would be better to just transfer some filter media across to seed your new filter...

Andy

 

[Robert Gurley]

I would advise against it.  Although you may be adding precious little biofilter material, you are also forcing the ammonia level in the tank way up.  Try going to a friend and giving him an extra filter, tell him to use the filter in conjunction with his normal one for 6 weeks.  When you pick up the filter at the end of the 6 weeks you will have a great kickstart for your system.

 

[Troy-N-Eli]

Although there are those who recommend strongly against this method, we have had great success w/it.  You do have to be careful at first, and it is beneficial to use filter media, gravel, etc as well to assist w/ the transfer of the microscopic critters.  We're not advising to or not to use this method, just sharing our experience.

 

[confusedfishy]

I hooked up my new filter in my 10 gal. and let it run for a week to 10 days.  Then when I put the new filter on my new 55 gal, it was almost ready to go.  Used start-right to de-chlor. water and took sample of water to lfs for major test.  Ready for fish in less than 2 weeks.  Just make sure all fish in 10 gal are healthy, no ick, cause you dont want to bring bad stuff into new tank

 

[RedTurquoise]

You could use water from the 10G and it might be of benefit because you dont have to worry about chlorine/chloramines. However, it will not have much benefit to the cycle unless you are experiencing a bacteria bloom, where bacteria is free floating. Most bacteria will culture in shaded or dark places like in your filter, undergravel, decor, etc. By taking some gravel or decor from the existing tank will help though, but not just water.  *thumbsup2*

 

[Backdraft Bagel]

6 weeks robert? That's nuts. Who's going to cycle a tank for a month and a half?

Add some water, a live plant, some gravel or a filter cart. from an established aquarium. That's all you need to do. 3 weeks from start to finish. Who cares about ammonia levels if you're not stocking fish yet ...

 

[RedTurquoise]

Good one Bagel, missed that one. 6 weeks to cycle is on the long end. Usually 3-4 weeks with or without fish and without using any established media. With established media, with a week or 2.