Cloning A Tank

[Mikaila31]

I know questions on this topic get asked quiet a bit and i did a search for it but i can't get a strait answer . My questions r:
If i was to take some filter pads from my 55gal and put them in my 20gal could i add fish right away?
How many fish could i add?
If i only have a sponge filter in the 20gal would rubber-banding the pads from the 55gal around the sponge filter work well enough?

 

[IovaykInD]

Taking some of the pads from the 55gal tank would instantly cycle your 20 gallon. You could fully stock it if you have enough filter material from the 55. Just make sure you don't deplete all the bio-media from the 55 if you still have fish in there.

 

[Tolak]

There are a lot of variables to this. It depends on how many fish of what kind are in the 55, what type of filter you have on the 55, how long the 55 has been running, and what type & how many fish you plan on putting in the 20.

Tolak

 

[Mikaila31]

The 55gal has 1 swordtail, 2 sparkling gouramis, 3 longfinned danios, 6 neons, 5 otos, 2 corycats in it so far and has a rena xp3 for a filter. i only really want to move one of the sparkling gouramis because he got attacked by the other one and is now in a net breeder . I don't plan on doing anything else with the 20gal until i after christmas.

 

[Tolak]

With that stocking, and only moving the one fish, strapping one of the pads from the xp3 to a sponge filter should work fine. Sounds like something I would do.

Tolak