HELP!!

[Warr40]

How Do You Clone A Tank ?!?!
and
can that be used to cycle

 

[Annastasia]

Cloning a tank is usually done by taking a piece of filter material, like the sponge, or the whole filter insert and putting it in the filter of the new tank. That's how I've heard most people do it. And I also believe you still have to cycle, this just speeds it up. But I may be wrong.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

When you clone a tank you need to have a filter sponge or filter itself from a mature tank, like one that has been setup for around 6months with no problems. The good bacteria which cycles the tank and handles the fish's waste, lives in the filter media so taking filer media from an established filter and putting it in a brand new filter helps the bacteria settle into the new tank.
If you don't have any mature tanks at hand to borrow filter media from you are going to have to cycle the tank the old fashioned way.

 

[Warr40]

my mature tank has a differnt filter than my new one
my mature tank has a canister and my new has a power filter
what filter media do i put in the new tank sponge-carbon-etc.
if it doesnt fit in the new filter can i just put it in the water

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The filter media has to have water running iver it to stay alive, so...
I suggest you do a fishless cycle, they are easy to do and take much quicker to do than cycling with fish, you can read more about how to do one in the pinned articles in the beginners section .

 

[fishwatcher]

You can also use Bio Spira... it helps cycle the tank in just a few days. You can add the fish at the same time too, just don't add any really sensitive fish as it could cause them problems.
Good luck however you decide to go with it!

 

[Warr40]

whats that

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Bio spira is only good if it has been refrigirated in transport and in the shop as it contains live bacteria that dies when not refrigerated, so it can be a waste of money at times and varys alot on how effective it is.

 

[fishwatcher]

Yeah, I wouldn't buy it from just anywhere. My lfs has always had a good record of keeping cold items cold (frozen foods, etc) so I splurged on the $10 to try it. I'm so glad I did!
I'd make sure you ask how it's handled before you buy it.