Cycling A Second Tank

[Biff0r]

Please excuse me if this has been covered, been searching and looking everywhere (sure i have seen it in the past).

Got a second tank and was wanting to know best method to getting it ready for use, was looking at just using it a backup/quarantine tank. But might as well use the tank permanently. (bought off OxTim here 1x2ft, 1x4ft & 1x5ft - thanks Tim).

1. I am guessing that I can put in a spare filter in existing tank and run it in the tank for between 7-14 days to get bacteria established?
   
2. Transfer some water from existing (cycled) tank and it is ready to use? (obviously it is ok with the 2ft tank cos it less water).
   
3. If i wanted more water than wahta my existing 4ft has, then would it be best to add water on a regular basis until filter is ready from the tank and also from the tap (dechlorinated), until I have filled up the tank over a period of several weeks?
   
4. I am also assuming that I can take existing ornaments, plant cutting etc and enter them into the new 'domain' once we are established?
   
5. I may use all 4 tanks and get them all going over next few months, I am in no rush and looking at building my own stands and cabinets
   
6. Also considering putting the 2ft emergency/quarantine tank under the existing 4ft tank, would this tank be ok if it was completely shut out from natural light and using artificial lighting? (ie doors to be closed 24/7)

Thanks in advance and I apologize for so many questions,

Regards

Biff

 

[thegnu]

hi
i wouldn't worry about taking some of the water from your 4' tank and using it on your 2'. theres next to no bacteria in the water of a mature tank, its on all the surfaces and filters. i would therefore take a quarter of the 4's substrate out and a quarter of the 4's filter media and place those in your 2' tank along with 1 of your platy's and with 10% water changes every 2 days for 2 weeks the tank would be cycled probably without even a mini cycle.
the subject of the light i think would be ok?
obviously you will have to replace the media you take from the 4' and replace with new

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah the bacteria that you want does not live free swimming in the water so don't worry about that.

get your new filter, run it alongside your existing filter in your existing tank for 2 weeks, then transfer it across to the new one, set it up and add partial stocking the same day.

if your wanting to mature more than 1 tank using this method don't do them all at once, do one, then give it a good couple of weeks before doing the next. because the bacteria on your original filter will spread between the two so you'll not be left with a full filter or bacteria, it'll soon multiply again in a mature tank but you have to be careful not to do too much at once or you could end up kicking off a cycle in your mature tank.