I am going to finish setting up my new tank today. Thanks to this forum I got a great idea about doubling up the sponges in my filter for a few months before I start a new tank, so that it will already have the beneficial batcteria needed to jump start the cycling. My question is this:
I have a fully established Aqua Clear 300 filter with 2 Bacteria Sponges on a 60 gallon Tank that is 8 months old. All my parameters are PERFECT.
I bought a new Aqua Clear Filter for a new 35 Gallon Tank. My plans are to set up the new tank with NEW gravel, a few plants from the OLD tank, and put the OLD filter with 1 OLD sponge and 1 new sponge and also put 15 gallons of established water from the 60 gallon tank, and 5-10 gallons water from an established 15 gallon tank that I am breaking down to take to work with me. I will then put the NEW filter with 1 OLD sponge and 1 NEW sponge in the EXISTING 60 gallon tank. I hope I am not rambling or being confusing....The question is- Approximately How long do you think will it take for the new tank to cycle? Also, Do you think putting the NEW filter on the existing tank with a NEW sponge in addition to one of the old sponges will make me go through a mini cycle? I also have an internal sponge filter in the 60 gallon tank so I have a lot of great bacteria in there.
Hope I didn't confuse anyone and sorry to ramble on. Thanks to this forum I should be able to cycle this tank quickly with the ready to go sponge idea.
Deb
PS-We're supposed to get 18 inches of snow todayand we were told not to come to work today. Can you think of a better project on a cold snowy day than setting up a new tank?
I have a fully established Aqua Clear 300 filter with 2 Bacteria Sponges on a 60 gallon Tank that is 8 months old. All my parameters are PERFECT.
I bought a new Aqua Clear Filter for a new 35 Gallon Tank. My plans are to set up the new tank with NEW gravel, a few plants from the OLD tank, and put the OLD filter with 1 OLD sponge and 1 new sponge and also put 15 gallons of established water from the 60 gallon tank, and 5-10 gallons water from an established 15 gallon tank that I am breaking down to take to work with me. I will then put the NEW filter with 1 OLD sponge and 1 NEW sponge in the EXISTING 60 gallon tank. I hope I am not rambling or being confusing....The question is- Approximately How long do you think will it take for the new tank to cycle? Also, Do you think putting the NEW filter on the existing tank with a NEW sponge in addition to one of the old sponges will make me go through a mini cycle? I also have an internal sponge filter in the 60 gallon tank so I have a lot of great bacteria in there.
Hope I didn't confuse anyone and sorry to ramble on. Thanks to this forum I should be able to cycle this tank quickly with the ready to go sponge idea.
Deb
PS-We're supposed to get 18 inches of snow todayand we were told not to come to work today. Can you think of a better project on a cold snowy day than setting up a new tank?