Best way to cycle second tank?

[lilacamy931]

Hello All
Just wish to get a general consensus and some advice. I have a 14 gallon almost fully cycled (had problems along the way) but it seems pretty established now. I am needing to set up and cycle two more tanks ready for whenever, one 5g and one 10g.

I was thinking the best way and through suggestion was to place the filters for the respective tanks in the established one run, then transfer to designated tanks along with some mature water from the main tank.

The questions I need answering are:

1. How long to run the filters in the estbalished tank before placing in the designated place.

2. Once done this am I able to place fish in small stockings in straight away or feed the filter/bacteria with some fish food and monitor (and for how long)?

Many thanks!

 

[JakeH]

IMO, Leave the new media in the established filter for at least a week, preferably longer. Once you transfer them to the new tank, you will need to feed the bacteria somehow or they will die off. I like the slow stocking method, but others have not had as much success with that. Its really a balancing act for a few weeks.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

Make sure your initial tank is cycled fully and add fish slowly. To seed additional filters you need a certain level of bioload, or your bacteria will not propagate enough to support multiple filters. In a fully stocked tank, I'd give the new filters a couple of weeks. Then you can transfer them to the new tanks and slowly stock those tanks (immediately). If you do not add fish/invertebrates immediately you will have to feed the bacteria.

HarleyK

 

[lilacamy931]

Many thanks guys, will endeavour to give this a go and keep updated. My 14 gallon is a dwarf puffer tank which has as many as it should (4) due to them being messy eaters, hopefully this will be in my favour (may have got the wrong end of the stick though!) Probably will run for a period of 2 weeks in the main tank for all the good beneficial!