Seeded Cycle?

[jiffy]

I have got an established 10 gal tank with a HOB filter currently and just set up a 2.8gal hex tank that will house 1 dwarf puffer. I used different gravel in the new tank and it uses a UGF. I was thinking about putting some gravel from the 10g tank into a stocking or some netting and seeding the hex tank with that in addition to borrowing 1 or 2 of my dainos from the 10g until the cycle is complete.

Then, move the dainos back to the 10g, remove the seeded gravel, and get the puffer for the hex. However, I don't know if because there is such a big difference in size between the two tanks, if I would be able to just seed the tank and get the puffer right away.

What do you feel is my best plan of action?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I doubt the gravel will be able to transfer enough beneficial bacteria to cycle it, you realy need a mature filter sponge for that as far as i know. Unfortuantly the danios do not have enough room in your current 10gal let alone to help cycle a 2.8gal- its far too little room even for a temporary visit and they could die. Im not even sure a 2.8gal has enough space for a dwarf puffer, i've always considered a 5gal to be the minimum size tank and they need sand substrate as well;

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=90950

"Care: The dwarf puffer does not require any salt in it’s water, it’s a completely freshwater fish. Adding salt will do more harm than good. Small as they are they are extremely aggressive and should be kept in species only tanks. They’ll need a minimum of 5 gallons each and when having more than 1 in a tank this rule should not be stretched to fit slightly more in. The tank should have a sand substrate, seeing as puffers often like to sleep on sand and sometimes even burry themselves in it. Gravel often has sharp edges and will lead to the puffers cutting themselves. When keeping more than 1 puffer the tank it will need to be heavily decorated to break up the eye-sight of the puffers and give them plenty of opportunities to hide from and lose the other puffer that is following them. You can do this by using plants, rocks and bogwood. Dwarfs establish their own territory as well so caves or other hiding places they can call theirs are a must.

Dwarf puffers will also need their teeth looked after. They keep growing and can overgrow if not being grinded down by snail shells. If this happens, the fish will not be able to eat anymore and will eventually starve to death if the teeth don’t get cut. For this reason you’ll have to feed your puffers snails at least once every 2 weeks. The rule for this tends to be "it will get crushed as long as its smaller than the size of the puffers eye", anything larger than that will simply get it’s head bitten off."

etc....Sorry for the bad news, im afraid your new tank setup is only realy going to be suitable for a betta or some shrimp.

 

[jiffy]

I could stick my filter cartridge from the 10g into the smaller tank temporarily, but since it doesn't use the same kind of filter it wouldn't work well.

And about puffers needing 5 gallons, I've read 2.5-3 gallons each is fine. check it out over at dwarfpuffers (dot) com.