Cloning Tanks

[Elsha]

I've heard a lot of talk around here about "cloning" tanks as opposed to cycling, which I presume means running a new filter on an old tank for a while to stock it up with the good bacteria. This is an approach I want to try, as I couldn't find anything remotely resembling pure ammonia for a fishless cycle (half the cleaning products didn't list their ingredients, the other half were chlorites of one type or another.) My question is: how long are you supposed to run the new filter on the old tank for? A week, two weeks, a month...what? And do you treat it, once run, as fully cycled (can stock the new tank all at once) or do you still have to build up stocking in the new tank gradually (as I assume you must)?

 

[rdd1952]

What size tank do you have running? What type filter is on it? Does it have more than one filter cartridge (if HOB)? Are the 2 filters compatible (the filter packs, if HOBs, will fit in either)? A lot of questions but they will help.

If it is possible to simply remove half the media from the existing tank and place it in the filter for the new tank, you would be well on your way. The existing tank would double the bacteria to be back to full force in about 24 hours so you shouldn't see any adverse effects such as a mini cycle and the new tank would have plenty of bacteria to start. You wouldn't necessarily be fully cycled depending on what size the tanks are and what you have in the old tank and plan to put in the new tank.

For best results, after you add the media from the old tank to the new one, add ammonia (I know you said you couldn't find it but here is a thread that may help and you can use fish flakes as a last resort) and proceed with a fishless cycle just to make sure you have a full bacteria colony. It should be relatively quick since you have seeded with a fairly large colony.

 

[Gazoo]

If it is possible to simply remove half the media from the existing tank and place it in the filter for the new tank, you would be well on your way. The existing tank would double the bacteria to be back to full force in about 24 hours so you shouldn't see any adverse effects such as a mini cycle and the new tank would have plenty of bacteria to start. You wouldn't necessarily be fully cycled depending on what size the tanks are and what you have in the old tank and plan to put in the new tank.

That's what I did and it worked great. I pulled a sponge from my power filter on a 32 gallon and added it to my new power filter on a seven gallon. I added 3 tetras and never saw a jump in ammonia. It was an "instant cycle" but I wonder if I was starting a larger tank if the process would have been as quick? I suppose there are a few variables when doing it.

 

[rdd1952]

Since you moved it into a much smaller tank, you are right that it would basically be an instant cycle. But as you said, on the larger tank, the bacteria would have to catch up. You would have to add fish or ammonia to build the bacteri to where they needed to be.

From all I have read, it sounds as if the bacteria double in anywhere from 15 to 30 hours. Temperature and pH have a large effect on those numbers. Bacteria multiply faster at higher temperatures and, according to this article, the optimal pH is between 7.2 and 8.3 with the time required rising as the pH gets lower.

 

[Elsha]

I have an undergravel filter on the original tank, so moving the filter media isn't really possible - well, I can put some gravel in, but certainly not half or anything.

For best results, after you add the media from the old tank to the new one, add ammonia (I know you said you couldn't find it but here is a thread that may help and you can use fish flakes as a last resort) and proceed with a fishless cycle just to make sure you have a full bacteria colony. It should be relatively quick since you have seeded with a fairly large colony.

I live in New Zealand, so that thread is no help whatsoever. Since danios are going into the new tank anyway, I'll probably just put them in when I move the filter over and keep a really close eye on the ammonia levels for a couple of weeks.

 

[Tolak]

Run the new filter a minimum of two weeks, 3 to 4 is better. Stocking depends on the size of the filter, the size & stocking of the old tank, and the size & stocking of the new tank.