Is It Cycled?

[smokeythebair]

Im setting up a new 55g for my dad. Im going to use his existing 20g filter that is est. and a new filter that came with the tank that im putting two of my old filter in. shouldn't it be cycled? The gravel water will be new but that shouldn't matter right because i have two filters with good bact?

 

[Jc1119]

You should be good. Just check water parameters to make sure you have nitrates showing up and you'll probably be ok. If it were me, I'd probably buy a bottle of Stability just to make sure all is good. You will need some fish both for the transported filters and the Stability

 

[the-obstacle]

Yeah, it'll be good as long as you keep 'feeding' the bacteria with amonia from fish. If the filters dry out or don't have any fish to poo for them then the bacteria will die off but having 2 cycled filters and 1 new one means the tank is cycled.

 

[True Love]

Put some flakes in every day to make sure the cycle is good, wait for nitrates and you should be fine.

 

[KaiserSousay]

shouldn't it be cycled? The gravel water will be new but that shouldn't matter right because i have two filters with good bact?

Maybe yes, maybe no.
Granted the older filters will have some, who knows how much BB.
Just because a filter system is from an established tank is no guarantee it holds all the BB you need.
Good news is, no matter the amount of BB from the older filters, those lil buggers grow quite fast.
Using filter material from an established tank will speed a new tank cycle time, but does not mean you have an “instantly” cycled tank.
Check, testing, your water after putting fish in the new tank often.
Be ready for some WC if you show ammonia or nitrites.
I`ve never used any “bacteria boosters”, so really couldn`t comment on how effective they are.
Good luck with the new tank.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Yes, I would agree with the usual suspect.

Prepare for a mini cycle, whether or not it comes. Test daily for the first week and go from there. People tend to freak a little too much about an uncycled tank IMO. Unless you're caught by surprise (which you arent in this case) you can just do water changes before anything gets toxic enough to cause major concern.