Easiest way to cycle

[Arfie]

Hi,

I have a 10G tank running and have now got a new one of about 12G to set up.

I am off on holiday for a week in November, so I don't want to stock until my return.

I was going to go for a fishless cycle, but having seen other idea's on here I thought maybe normal cycling is not necessary.

Now I'm thinking I may put my new filter into my existing tank and leave it running until ready to stock new tank.

Can this be done? just whip the new filter out and add it to the new tank when ready and it should work pretty much right away? Will it have any detrimental effect on the old tank when taken out?

Also I have snails in my existing tank which I want to try and keep out of the new tank (i know, but I want to try!), so if I put the filter in the old tank with a stocking over it to stop snails getting in will this be OK and still let bacteria build up?

I've got gravel in old tank and will put sand in new tank, but I thought about putting some gravel in a stocking and laying it on top of the sand to help.

OK fire away, what have I forgot, not considered, need to consider etc.

Arfie

 

[washuai]

It doesn't get any easier than bio-spira, I've heard of people putting it in and then waiting only 8 hours before adding the fish. However, on the marineland website, it says 24 hours. Basically, bio-spira is you adding all the beneficial bacteria needed for a whole tank, instantly. I'm sure it comes with instructions. I'm going on a 10 day vacation soon myself, which will delay starting my tank, so I didn't want to have to wait longer. I'm going to buy a pack of bio-spira one day and the fish the next.

Also, since you already have a running tank, I think as long as your new filter has ample biological filtration, you can hook up the new filter to your current established tank and when you come back from your vacation, it'll be full of lovely bacteria.

 

[luxum]

Now I'm thinking I may put my new filter into my existing tank and leave it running until ready to stock new tank.

Can this be done? just whip the new filter out and add it to the new tank when ready and it should work pretty much right away? Will it have any detrimental effect on the old tank when taken out?

Yes, that will work. If it was me, i'd run the new filter on the old tank at least a couple weeks, and then transfer it to the new tank, and then i'd go ahead and do an ammonia cycle to ensure that the colony is there and stable, then stock fully. If you just transfer the filter over and skip the ammonia step, that will work, but you'll have to stock more conservatively initially to make sure you don't overload the capabilities of your new colony.

 

[Arfie]

If it was me, i'd run the new filter on the old tank at least a couple weeks,

That's it I'm putting it in today!

I think that then in say 3 weeks I'll swap it to the new tank and add the 2 peppered cory's, then 2 weeks later add the albino cory's.

I'm not thinking of buying any more fish before I go away though.

Arfie

 

[gixer]

It doesn't get any easier than bio-spira, I've heard of people putting it in and then waiting only 8 hours before adding the fish. However, on the marineland website, it says 24 hours. Basically, bio-spira is you adding all the beneficial bacteria needed for a whole tank, instantly. I'm sure it comes with instructions. I'm going on a 10 day vacation soon myself, which will delay starting my tank, so I didn't want to have to wait longer. I'm going to buy a pack of bio-spira one day and the fish the next.

Also, since you already have a running tank, I think as long as your new filter has ample biological filtration, you can hook up the new filter to your current established tank and when you come back from your vacation, it'll be full of lovely bacteria.

This product will NOT cycle your tank in a day..( or even a week)

this is total nonsense...it will speed things up but for anyone reading this post thinking ' great i'll cycle my new tank with bio-spira' FORGET IT....its an aid to help cycling...

NOTHING ELSE......



sorry...just pointing out incase inexperienced newbies read this..
No offence to the poster intended.

 

[Arfie]

It doesn't get any easier than bio-spira, I've heard of people putting it in and then waiting only 8 hours before adding the fish. However, on the marineland website, it says 24 hours.

Don't think I trust that and I wouldn't risk the life or health of any fish to test it.

Time isn't an issue as I'm not really bothered about stocking for 9-10 weeks, I was only interested in the easiest way of doing things with what I have available.

One other point, it doesn't appear to be for sale in the UK yet.

If I can get hold of some pure ammonia, also difficult in UK, I may still cycle properly and not risk transferring anything from one tank to the other.

But that said thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Arfie

 

[gixer]

just stick with your original plan would be my suggestion..I have done that many times.. As long as the new filter has ran in the excisting tank for a couple of weeks it will be fine aslong as you gradually increas your stock slowly (like you would normally after cycling with fish)

good luck..

 

[Arfie]

Added a Fluval 2+ to my Juwel tank tonight and I don't know whther the fish love it or hate it as it's the 1st time there's been a real current in the tank, even on lowest setting its blowing the mossballs around, which is a good thing.

They are having to swim now rather than just float in the middle of the tank, they can get behind the plants and under a huge peice of bogwood for relief so I guess they must like it as they are out in the flow.

Arfie

 

[washuai]

the whole put a filter on an existing tank thing, is the way I'd go, if I had an existing tank. Bio-spira isn't a carte blanche. I should be fine, because I'm definitely not putting the hugest bioload in my tank, like total, they'll probably be 3" of fish, but they'll grow.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Arfie

It seems like you have a good understanding of beneficial bacteria and how to cycle a tank.

Just remember that if you go away on vacation, no matter how many bacteria you start with in the tank, it might adjust to support the amount of fish you have stocked it with since it will only be feeding on a small amount of waste products.

As long as you add the new fish a few at a time, when you return, so that the good bacteria will regenerate, all will be well.

 

[Arfie]

Cheers Inchworm,

Yeah I hope I understand it, but better to check.

Still cant make up my mind, I want to get the cory's moved into the new tank with the sand asap, but I still don't know where the tanks will be set up and who else may move with them, if anybody.

Until I know where the tank will be ending up and what new fish I am going to get it's difficult to plan the rest, at least this way I can be doing something about getting the tank ready, without actually needing to set the tank up.

I will also be adding some more ornaments to my established tank soon to get them bacteria'd up (every little helps ).

Don't worry I will add any new fish at a fairly slow pace and I'm thinking about some livebearers, but more research needs to be done yet.

Cheers
Arfie