how long does it take for a tank to

[balloon molly]

im going to look into fishless cycling but i wanted to know how long does it take for a tank with sand to cycle or is it the same with gravel.
im thinkin of getin a 30 and a 20 gal tank.
30 community tank
20 mollie tank
and ill keep the 10 gal as a rasing tank

 

[fraservet]

there will be no difference in time between sand and gravel

 

[yhbae]

Without any bacteria seeding, it will take around 1 month (my experience). Do you know anyone who already maintains a mature tank? This will significantly reduce your cycling time...

EDIT: I should read people's signatures... As a1wonder mentioned already, the best way is to do it through filter media, so either put the new filter on the old tanks, run it for a while and use it in the new tank, or take the media from the old one, smear it against the new sponge, and put it in the new tank filter. It will work either way...

 

[a1wonder]

If you buy your filter for the 20 or 30 now and plop it onto your ten gallon with the other one you have going then give it about a week it will be culvated with good bateria which should lower your cycling time quite a bit also transfer some gravel from you 10 into the 30 to reduce waiting time even more

 

[Da_Oz]

Sand can take a little longer. Less surface area and breeding room. But this is not to the point of a don't use sand.