Help Me Cycle A New Tank

[jiffy]

I have a 10g aquarium that has been running for about 10 months and has a HOB filter. I am trying to cycle a 2.8 gal tank with a UGF and a Daino, but 1. I don't like exposing the fish to the stress of cycling 2. Its to small a tank to keep it in and 3. It is taking to long.


So, seeing as how I can't just swap filter cartridges, what can I do to "instantly cycle" or quicken up the current cycle so I can buy a fish for the tank? I already tried seeding with some gravel from the 10g, but that didn't seem to work.

Help!

 

[rdd1952]

If you want to do a fishless cycle, please see the link in my signature.

 

[ncjharris]

I was going to say 'run your new filter in your old tank' and then realised what a stoopid idea that was!

Try 'reverse seeding'? Put some of your new substrate in a pair of tights and hang that in your tank.
Or, consider not using an UGF and using an internal one - UGF are not that common anymore.

Otherwise, there isn't really a way to 'speed up' cycling, or we'd all do it!
The post in rdd's sig covers everything.

 

[Mr.September15]

Interesting...

-Arrowhead

 

[ncjharris]

Yeah?!

 

[rdd1952]

I will have to say I quickly scanned your first post and missed part of it. I was trying to get out of the office to come home and just didn't read everything. The problem with cycling with one fish is that the tank will only be cycled for the fish in the tank. So even when you add another fish, you will end up with another mini cycle. Also, as you mentioned, the 2.8 gallon isn't big enough for the danio. They need lots of swimming room. The 2.8 gallon reallyisn't good for much other than a betta or some ADFs. Also, as ncjharris mentioned, UGFs are pretty obsolete now. Since you have it, you may want to keep using it but if you can upgrade to a small HOB filter like a Whisper 10, it would make life (and cleaning) a lot easier. They only cost about $10.

As for speeding the cycle of the new tank, you can put the filter pack or sponge or what ever in the old tank. Since you have a UGF in there, just lay it on the bottom of the tank which would put it in the water flow and allow it to pick up some bacteria. Just leave it for a week or so and then put it in the new tank and start cycling with ammonia. You could also, take some gravel from the small tank and hang it in the new tank or even put it in the filter pack just like you would the carbon.

 

[jiffy]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I did do a fishless cycle on my first tank, but it didn't work out so well and as good as they are, I'd like to avoid that trouble again.

This new tank is going to only house one fish, a dwarf puffer. The daino is just there to cycle it and then he will go back to the 10g.

A HOB won't work because I wouldn't be able to have a lid for the tank then. If there is some other filter possible I would consider it, but I think UGF is probably my best bet.

I will put some gravel from the small tank into the bigger tank's filter for the time being. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

[ncjharris]

I have an internal canister in both a 12g and a 5g. Works fine.