i am going to be starting a second tank thats 30 gallons and i was planning on using water from my already up and cycled tank and was wondering how soon i would have to put fish into the tank before it would have to go through a new cyce? and also if i will be getting a new filter with new media should i run the filter on the already cycled tank before placing it on the smaller tank to get the bacteria set up? and any tips that i have over looked would be very helpful. thanks.
question on starting a second tank??
- Thread starter oOMO3NOo
- Start date
I would put the new filter on the old tank and let it get established. Using old water does nothing for you. It actually hurts because that water would have nitrates. Let the filter get established and you will have a mini cycle but it should be very short.
Using tank water from your existing aquarium wont help you out in any way.... the same goes for the idea of establishing the new filter on the old tank. The level of BB in any aquarium is determined by the fish load. you ALREADY have enough BB in the old tank. While SOME BB will migrate to the new media it wont be enough to help establish the new aquarium.
Use active bio-spira (thats always been kept cold) or no more than a quarter of the bio-media from your old tank to seed the new one. Don't forget that if your going to Seed the new tank you have to feed the BB or they will die so add a couple of fish right away.
Proper cycling takes time...always has...and always will. Keeping the number of fish very low for the size of the aquarium and keeping up with water changes however can make the process safe and relitivly painless.
Use active bio-spira (thats always been kept cold) or no more than a quarter of the bio-media from your old tank to seed the new one. Don't forget that if your going to Seed the new tank you have to feed the BB or they will die so add a couple of fish right away.
Proper cycling takes time...always has...and always will. Keeping the number of fish very low for the size of the aquarium and keeping up with water changes however can make the process safe and relitivly painless.
i forgot to mention the tank i will be setting up currently has fish in it but i will be draining it for a few days so i can move it...(im get rid of the fish in it and starting a small breeding project) so the rocks have cycled through the bacteria but i will be putting a better pump on it is it still required to get fish and start the cycle over??
ive done this in the past i would throw a new filter on the old tank start throwing your water change water in the new tank and when you change the filter over run as much charcoal as you can .... add your fish after then tank has ran for a good amount of time and i would probable do a good water change before adding the new fish in
how does established tank water not do anything? i understand that it would have nitrates but its better than tap water. as long as the nitrates are not too high. if they are then put in 1/3 tap water to lower it. i agree with putting the new filter on the established tank for for a few days or so as well as putting gravel in the new tank from the old tank. if you are using the same style gravel in both anyways.