Can I Put Fish In This Tank Yet?

[Lisa67]

Several weeks ago I thought that the cycled filter on my 55 gal tank was dieing. So, I bought another filter and figured I'd cycle it by putting some media from the dieing filter in it. I planned to run both filters until the first one quit completely.

It's now about a month later. The filter first filter is still going strong. I'm now starting up a new tank which I'm going to move 2 frontosa into. So, I took the second filter and put it on the new tank. I dosed the amonia up to 5 and it took about a day and a half for the amonia to drop. Also, I added sand today...it seemed to take forever to clear, so I did about a 50% water change.

My question is, do you think it's safe to move two young frontosa to this tank yet? I know the amonia is supposed to hit 0 in 24 hours, but I did dose it to 5 AND I'm only putting in 2 fish now and then two more in a few weeks. Also, since I did the 50% water change today. Is there any reason that I need to change water again before I add the fish?

I'm in a hurry (sort of) because I just noticed that one of my mbuna cichlids, who are in the tank that the fronts are currently in, is carrying eggs. I'd like a few of the fry to survive and I'm sure it will be a feeding frenzy if I don't get the frontosa out of there.

 

[micko]

Was the original filter fully cycled?

 

[Lisa67]

Yes it was. And, after I posted this I tested my water again and the nitrite was pretty high. I'm thinking maybe I should give it another week?

 

[algir]

Wait until the Nitrites drop, then monitor the Nitrates for a few more days. Then you should be set to go!

 

[Lisa67]

That's what I'll do. Thank you!

 

[OldMan47]

You have no indication, as far as I can see, that the new filter is in any way cycled. I could add 20 filters to a cycled tank, dose it with ammonia and expect the original filter to reduce my levels to zero in 12 hours. In order to prove that you have an effective clone you will need to move the new filter to the new tank and use that tank, dosed to 5 ppm to prove the new filter.
The quickest way I have found to accomplish that cloning is to simply set up the new tank and filter and get things running, then use the new tank as a cleaning bucket for my mature filter. Some bacteria come off a filter every time you clean it so they will seed the new filter. Starting at that point I do a fishless cycle on the new filter and usually have a proven good filter in a week or so. It may take a whole day to pull the first dose of ammonia down to zero, but it takes very little time to gain confidence in the new filter's ability to process ammonia and nitrites.

 

[Lisa67]

I am totally confused about why you would say that the filter is in no way cycled. I said that I moved it to the NEW tank (it is the only filter on the new tank)... dosed it to 5 and it was back to zero in a day and a half. Since then I have dosed it to 3 daily and it has been back to zero in less than 24 hours. I know it isn't fully cycled as I still have a small amount of nitrite.

I did not dose it while running with the cycled filter as I have fish in that tank.

 

[roadmaster]

I should think that the new filter should house some bacteria after running in tandem with your old filter from established tank for a month.I would keep dosing the 3 ppm ammonia until both the ammonia and nitrites read zero after 12 to 24 hours and then perform large water change to reduce NitrAtes just before adding the two fish.
Are you seeing NitrAtes?
Would also watch(test) the water after adding the two Fronts if they are large fish just to be sure that levels remain zero for ammonia and nitrites.
If the new filter can process 3 ppm ammonia and result in zero nitrites after twelve hours,this is way more than the two fish should ever expierience in my view.
Any more fish should be added slowly with ten to twelve day interval.

 

[OldMan47]

Since you have that filter running on a new tank and it is processing ammonia somewhat, I guess you do have the evidence that you need that some bacteria has been transferred. I missed that you had done that the first time I read through this thread. As soon as your new filter proves itself by processing both ammonia and nitrites in 12 hours you can consider it ready to use for your fronteras.

 

[Lisa67]

Wahooo! Today both amonia and nitrite were zero. I'm going to give it a few more days of dosing it up to 3 to make sure... and then they are in!(After a huge water change, of course). Even if I don't do a full 7 day test week (mostly due to my work schedule) I think I'll be ok with 2 relatively small fish in that big tank. I will test the water daily and do changes as needed. Thanks to you all.

 

[OldMan47]

That sounds good to me.