Expediting the Fishless Cycling Process

[jaywings19]

I am planning to set up my 72G bow front tank this weekend... after many long awaited weeks. I've bought this tank in December! (don't ask)

Anyway, I'm finally getting around to it.

I'm going to do Fishless Cycling for the first time. I have the document explaining the process and a bottle of the clear/pure ammonia.

I just want to know if there are any tips/tricks to jump-start the nitrite/nitrate phases. I know that using a mature filter/media would definitely do it, but that's not an option for me since I only have an Eclipse tank which uses a special cartridge. Here are some things that I was thinking about. . .

1. Soaking a small bag of the new gravel in my Eclipse tank for a week, then transferring it to the new tank when I start adding ammonia.

2. Soaking some of the plants in my Eclipse tank, then transferring them to the new tank.

Would either of these ideas help speed the process along? Any other options?

 

[Bol]

I think the gravel would help, but probably not the plants. I'm not sure that there'd be enough bacteria settled on the plants to warrant it. Could be wrong, of course.

Even better might be to "borrow" some of the Eclipse tank's gravel, and put it in your new tank (in a bowl, or a net, or similar) for a week or so, then put it back.

Another thing you could do, if there's room (I'm not familiar with the Eclipse setup), is just put in some filter floss or a chunk of filter sponge into your Eclipse filter setup for the same week as the gravel. (I mean, add it in addition to the normal Eclipse filter cartridge). Then just transfer the floss or sponge to your new tank (and run it along with its "real" cartridge).