ok so I have a 150 gallon tank and the room that the tank is going in is being re-done and the tank will not be brought into the room for a few more weeks. I want to make it so that once the tank is setup it will be cycled as soon as possible for some rays that I want to put in it. Can I put all of the filters that were going to go on this tank(a cascade 1200 canister and 2 AC110s) on a 20 gallon with something like guppies for a few weeks? That way when the 150 is setup, I just transfer the filters and guppies to that tank, let it sit for a few days and then will it be good? Another idea that I had was to put some gravel in the 20 gallon with the filters and guppies then move the gravel to the 150 gallon. What are your ideas about this? Thanks
how to cycle a tank fast
- Thread starter stingray94
- Start date
its a start.. but the bio load from a few guppies in a 20g wont be the same as from a few rays in a 120g....
the place i got my 55 from gave me a bottle of "live nitrifying bacteria"... i have no idea if it works or not though.. from what ive read on the forums the stuff in bottles is more or less a waste of money.. best bet is to get some established media from "a friend or lfs"... so... i dunno..
the place i got my 55 from gave me a bottle of "live nitrifying bacteria"... i have no idea if it works or not though.. from what ive read on the forums the stuff in bottles is more or less a waste of money.. best bet is to get some established media from "a friend or lfs"... so... i dunno..
Buy a couple of sponge filters and have your favorite LFS use them in some heavily stocked tanks for 3 weeks then transfer them home when you need them.
Yeah I agree the bio load from a 20g won't be enough, but it'll be a start. If you can see if you can find some bio-spira or an equivilant from a reputable LFS that keeps it refrigerated. Mine carried some called "Turbo Start". Cycled my tank in about a week and a half. As stated above though any of the bottled stuff off the shelf dont do anything.
Or like suggested see if you can get some established media from your LFS or friend
Or like suggested see if you can get some established media from your LFS or friend
Agreed. No way will you get enought BB from a 20g with guppies. BioSpira or a friendly LFS is your best bet.
Do a 'fishless cycle' in the 20g with all the filters and use BioSpira to start it.
If you use bio-material from a friend or LFS make sure you know it's disease free (a hard thing to do).
With the fishless cycle once it's cycled you can up the ammonia to the rate the rays will output and you'll be good to go.
Aerate the 20g also.
When you filter the 150g pre-treat the water for chlorine/chloramines or you could crash the filters when installed.
Dr Joe
.
If you use bio-material from a friend or LFS make sure you know it's disease free (a hard thing to do).
With the fishless cycle once it's cycled you can up the ammonia to the rate the rays will output and you'll be good to go.
Aerate the 20g also.
When you filter the 150g pre-treat the water for chlorine/chloramines or you could crash the filters when installed.
Dr Joe
.
How do I do a "fishless cycle", I have been keeping fish for several years and my father has kept fish for his whole life and I've never heard of that. I don't feel comfortable using media from a lfs because you never know what could end up in their tanks, I don't want any diseased fish to come in contact with my filter media. Thanks for all of the help. So the 20 gallon tank is a start that is good to hear. Thanks for all of the replies.
a fishless cycle is introducing ammonia to the tank . The cheap stuff with nothing added is the best and you just let the tank cycle .Just like a normal tank just an added source of ammonia . just run the tank and add established media add ammonia up to like 20 or 30 ppm let it run and each day add enough ammonia to keep the filters pumping then just add them to the tank when the time comes .
ehh pure ammonia is hard to get a hold of so best check local super stores in cleaning supplies . the tesco value or equivalent is the best as it has added perfume or chemicals ect then you can just do trial and error or work out how much you will need to get the ammonia levels up go from there .