I Would Like To Seed A Second Tank...

[simonmac2]

hi all,

cycle finished and so thought a second tank would give a better option if "it" happens down the line.

i have set up the 45l tank with no gravel (will get sand and substrate next week) and have added the ammonia to start the cycle.

I also put about 2 cups of gravel in a pair of tights about a week ago, and put them in the top of the filter in the other tank (that had just finished cycling), in the hope that when i started the new little one, it would have at least something seeding the bacteria, and therefore shorten the whole tortuous process.

am i barking?

Simon

 

[rabbut]

If the gravel you have added as a seed was from a tank using a UGF filter, it will help a great deal. If the tank doesn't use UGF (more likely) the gravel is a much use as old tank water; it isn't Filter media from the ready cycled tank is your best bet, about 1/3 for a mature filter (over 6 months old) or about 1/6 for an imature one (been cycled more than a week, but less than 6 months) is usualy safe

HTH
Rabbut

 

[rdd1952]

As mentioned, gravel has very little bacteria in it. The only way you would benefit at all is to put some of the gravel in your filter along with the media. The best option is to simply clone the new tank by putting up to half of your media from the established filter into the new filter.