Do I Still Need To Cycle It?

[Fate2006]

so does this mean it still needs to be cycled for like 2 weeks then??? I'm confused... if it's an instant cycle than can I add a DP 2 days later? Or do I still need to wait??

 

[andywg]

so does this mean it still needs to be cycled for like 2 weeks then??? I'm confused... if it's an instant cycle than can I add a DP 2 days later? Or do I still need to wait??

If you use mature media you already have a bacterial colony to deal with nitrogenous waste. You do not cycle a tank so much as cycle the biological filter media. By putting already cycled media into a new tank you can instantly place fish in the tank and prividing the correct amoutn of mature media is used (if you took half from your original tank then you could support about half of that tank's bioload) you are fine.

I have set up many tanks from 4 to 150 gallons in this method.

Waiting a day or two will lead to a die off and cause a mini cycle as there is now a smaller bacterial colony on the media than originally.

 

[DarkEntity]

Ok Friday I'm getting a 5gallon tank (for a DP) and filling it with water from my 29gallon tank that's been set up for at least 8months... I'm still going to add water conditioner but should I add bacteria supplement? Also do I need to cycle it? if so would 2 days be long enough since it's mature water?

Puffers are very sensitive to water conditions imo it would be a bad idea to get a puffer until the tank has matured and stabalised.

 

[Fate2006]

I'm well aware of that fact which is why I'm on this post... no need to say it when I've said it like twice through out this tread... anyways, so a 10gallon mature filter (with media), if that makes any sence!, will allow me to add the fish ASAP... alright perfect I'm getting the tank tomorrow (friday) night, along with some sand and I've got sunday off... so that's when I'll get the DP... to help stabalize the tank I'll add the otto cats ASAP like friday aswell if I can or mabye on saturday... thx so much for all the help guys especially you andy