Cycling 2 Filters In One Tank?

[ellena]

I'm currently filtering my 'main' tank and I want to convert a bowl for a betta. I've bought a little sponge filter. Can I cycle this in the main tank at the same time? Would it work if I just took the sponge from the little filter and put it in the main tank filter?
Here's the setup

Where would be best to put the sponge?
Thanks

 

[rewlyn]

I'm currently filtering my 'main' tank and I want to convert a bowl for a betta. I've bought a little sponge filter. Can I cycle this in the main tank at the same time? Would it work if I just took the sponge from the little filter and put it in the main tank filter?
Here's the setup

Where would be best to put the sponge?
Thanks

YES YOU COULD CYCLE IT ON YOUR BIGGER TANK BUT IT COULD TAKE A WEEK OR TWO

JUST BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR LEVELS IN CASE THE NEW FILTER EFFECTS YOUR BALANCE

BUT OTHERWISE YOU SHOULD BE FINE

 

[ellena]

Oh, I'm expecting it to take a while. Only part way through the cycle anyway. I'm taking reading every 24 hrs.
Where would it go? I'm not even sure which direction the water's going through the filter

 

[OldMan47]

Go ahead and put the sponge filter right into the tank itself. When the tank shows cycled, chances are good that both filters will be ready to go.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with the others. The benefical bacteria populations will balance themselves across the total filter media that runs in a tank. Any time you later remove a fraction of the media (by removing one of the filters in this case,) you can expect the capability of the biofilter (ie. the capacity of the filter to service a given fish load) to drop somewhat. In practice this is usually not a significant problem. If you are still fishless cycling when the filters are split up, you just test how well each is capable of dropping 5ppm of ammonia to zeros in 12 hours and if you are working with fish in at the point you split the filters up then you just test for ammonia and nitrite and do a few water changes if necessary until the bacteria divide and catch back up with the fish load.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[ellena]

I'll still be fishless when I split them, so I'll carry on the cycling until they're both caught up. So in the tank or in the filter, either will work?

 

[fatheadminnow]

I'll still be fishless when I split them, so I'll carry on the cycling until they're both caught up. So in the tank or in the filter, either will work?

Yes, after your main tank has cycled all the way, split them, put one into your betta tank and keep the one on your main tank.

By doing this, you are removing some bacteria form the main tank, so you will want to continue fishless cycle a little in your main tank, just because you took some bacteria away from removing the sponge for your betta tank.

It should not take long before you are caught up.

You might not have to do a fishless cycle in your betta tank, just because it is smaller than your main tank, and probably contains enough bacteria form being cycled in your main tank, just because your main tank is larger, and contained a greater level of ammonia, which would colonize more bacteria.

-FHM

 

[ellena]

Right, cycle all going according to plan When you say 'after your main tank has cycled all the way' FHM, do you mean after the full week at 12hrs?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Right, cycle all going according to plan When you say 'after your main tank has cycled all the way' FHM, do you mean after the full week at 12hrs?

Yes, that is what I mean.

When your main tank is completely cycled, Processing ammonia and nitrite to zero in 12 hours.

This will ensure that you have a significant amount of both types of beneficial bacteria.

-FHM