Sand update

[Sorrell]

Ok, I have now switched out my gravel for sand, the plants are back in, and the filter is going. We are in a blizzard so it's going to be awhile before I can get any fish in there. So here are my two options, feel free to add more...
1) I could throw a fish or two from one of my other tanks in until the new fish arrive to keep it cycled.
2) I could leave it empty, but add ammonia to keep it going

Also there are some snails in there, but just little guys, I don't think they put off that much waste do they?
Anyway, please help me decide what is best! Thanks.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Add ammonia.

Your other fish might end up dying, and the fish at the lfs would already be stressed out. no use killing fish, now is their?

If all you did was change the substrate, it shouldn't take as long for the tank to cycle itself again.

 

[drobbins27]

I prefer cycling with fish. Up to you tho.

 

[Sorrell]

So if the tank was cycled and it has the same filter media, just changing the substrate starts me over again? I was under the impression that the majority of the bacteria is in the filter (its a HOB). If this is the case I would hope one day without fish wouldn't have wiped out my entire colony.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

No. I'm afraid most of the bacteria (if not a lot of it) is actually under the substrate. If you think about it, there's a lot more room for bacteria under the gravel than in the tiny box you have in the filter.