Starting Up A New Aquarium.

[Preston019]

I just set up a 55 gallon aquarium with a sand substrate and I used my Fluval 406 for the filter. Well, my 406 was running on my 29 gallon aquarium that has been established for over a year now. My question is, do I have to cycle this new 55 gallon aquarium since I used my 406 and it already had all of the beneficial bacteria in it? I'm only asking this because I've read that a sand substrate does not hold bacteria like a gravel substrate does, is this true?

 

[Aquascaper]

Tank water, gravel, ornaments, etc. have nothing to do with the filtration of the tank in this scenario.

It is the filter and the filter alone that is 'cycled' or 'mature' so where it goes the filtration capacity goes too

 

[jinni1980]

As far as i know, filter holds bacteria. Also whatever you used in your old tank will have them such like ornaments & gravel and water but not much in the water. I recently put sand in my tank. But instead i took all gravel out, i put them in net and placed in the coner of tank so i still can have bacteria benefit from them till mini cycle done. (not sure i needed mini cycle but i did this way for making sure)
I am not sure sand not holding bacteria well or not but i guess will be ok since lots of people use them in their tank.
Just do your water test and mini cycle would be safe way.