fish less cycle

[bartender_in_ny]

i am going to try this fishless cycle i think in my 55 in a cpl weeks, ny question is, IS IT ABSOULUTY NESSESARY to add gravel from a cycled tank? if so how much for a 55 and if not what would the time frame be for adding fish? just curious....and??? could u but in the media cart from seasoned tanks filter? instead of gravel? i hate to disturb the gravel in my 20 long its al set up and not a huge area to get it from thats open....hope i dont need any.....plz advise..... B)

 

[bartender_in_ny]

opps typo lol i meant *could u use a media cartridge from my penguin bio wheel in the new un eastablished 55 filter? (there the same cartridges peng 170 + 330 rite size C) SRY IM A HORRIBLE TYPER, and i hate this lap top key board..

 

[pendragon]

IS IT ABSOULUTY NESSESARY to add gravel from a cycled tank?

No, it's not necessary at all to add gravel or filter media from an established tank, but it will generally speed things along significantly if you do. This is true regardless of how you cycle (with or without fish). The necessary bacteria will colonize and your tank will cycle without adding any seed bacteria at all, though. It will just take longer.

if so how much for a 55

As much or little as you like. Generally speaking, the more seed material you add, the quicker the cycle will go, but this is not a universal law. Even a little seed material will generally speed things along much better than starting with none. Also, be mindful that the more seed material you take from an existing tank, the greater a "cycling deficit" you're creating for it to overcome. This is generally not a problem, but it's certainly possible to overdo it sufficiently to cause problems in the established tank.

what would the time frame be for adding fish?

However long it takes. When the cycle is finished - not before. There's no way to guess when that will be. Cycling fishlessly is usually faster, but it can still vary a lot. Remember, impatience is the enemy. You cannot schedule the completion of a tank cycle. It's safe to add fish when your water test results indicate the cycle has completed it's final phase (i.e. nitrite spikes for a period of days and then falls to zero) and parameters consistently indicate cycled tank behavior for a couple of days (i.e. ammonia is zero, nitrite is zero, and nitrates rises steadily).
pendragon!

 

[tstenback]

pendragon has given you excellent advice as usual. If i had my choice for seeding material it would be filter material first (usually higher concentration of bacteria) then gravel, then plant and ornaments. HTH

 

[MadCow]

Is there anyway you can put the new filter that you will be putting on your new tank on your established tank along with your current filter for the couple weeks? This would allow bacteria to get established on your new filter and when you start the new tank just move the whole thing to the new tank and this should give you a great head-start on your cycle. Should really speed things up. If not then filter material from an established tank is often regarded as the best source for a bacteria start. Just some thoughts.

 

[bartender_in_ny]

well i have lots of time, so waiting wil be the key, + watching tests.....when i cycled the 20 gallon i did it with fish, took about 3 weeks for the amonia to go to 0 thats the only test i did + PH. so after amonia is at 0 is the nitrate + nitrite the concern? ill prob get another test kit which is most important? nitrate? or nitrite? thx for the great info guys...

as far as the filter in established tank? prob not the intake tube would have to be cut its too deep for the 20 long thats y i was thinking of using the cartridges , there same size....but il take the patience approach makes sence...
thx again!!!!!!

great advice!!!

 

[MadCow]

Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate tests are the most important in my opinion. Especially while cycling your tank this is the only way to track what is going on in there.