No Fish In A Cycled Tank Question

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Schmoo

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 23, 2006
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Washington State
I'm going to redo my 72 gal bowfront and switch it to cichlids. The tank has been running for over a year now and I've found a home for the current inhabitants. I'm going to switch the substrate from gravel to sand but will bag up some of the gravel to seed the new tank. Cycling should not be a problem as I'll continue to use the same filter material in my cannister.

My question is, how long will the tank stay cycled without fish in it? It may take me awhile to decide what fish I want to put in and then find them. I may have to resort to a Petsmart store about 70 miles from here or order on line.
 
I wouldnt expect the filter to be still cycled after more than a few days.
You could dose the tank with pure ammonia to keep the bacteria going
 
gomezladdams;800910; said:
I wouldnt expect the filter to be still cycled after more than a few days.
Click to expand...

perhaps not even days...

keep the water oxigenated and feed the vbacteria. throw in a shrimp...keep the water mooving:)
 
Once you remove the fish and gravel, I would just treat it like a brand new tank. Even if you use a couple of fish to feed the bacteria, you're still going to lose a decent portion of the beneficial bacteria and are going to want to add fish in the same manner you would as if the tank were brand new.
 
Howdy,

It will not be a problem if you can come up with "temporary inhabitants". As suggested, just get a few shrimp, or even better guppies. They will keep your tank running until you can get new /\/\onsters - and then they serve as dinner.

Keeping gravel for seeding is unnecessary if you have a decent, continuously running biofilter (i.e. W/D or canister). Don't clean the filter w/in 4-6 weeks of removing your gravel, and it'll be well-established.

HarleyK
 
Thanks guys! Shoot, I just remembered. I'm going to leave a bistlenose and a snail in the tank. The snail is a biggie about the size of a tennis ball and the bristlenose is maybe 5 or 6 inches. Will they provide enough waste to keep the bacteria happy?
 
i would say so. feed them, keep the water in movement.should do the trick.

Allthough i like, very much, the guppy idea....:)
 
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