Cycling Help

[Mrsdubs]

Ok this is gonna be a long one...so I already have a fully cycled community tank, trigon 190 running an internal aps 1200 and I've recently added an ex tetratec 1200

I'm wanting to change this into a cichlid tank, I've already got another tank for my community fish

Logistically how do I go about changing it over??

I can use mature filter media from my current set up for the new tank and new filter so that end of things is ok

My concern is I will have to empty my trigon, clean it all out, I'm adding sand and ocean rock for the cichlids, but during this time my 2 current filters will be off for a while, while the tank is set up and before the cichlids arrive (thinking of ordering them online and have them all delivered at once)

how long can the good bacteria live on the filters while they are not running? Am I right in thinking by using my already mature filters I'm essentially skipping the cycling process?

They are too powerful to run on my other tank during the change over period so that's not an option

Hope all that makes sense

I'm thinking of adding 12 mbuna cichlids all at once in order to minimise aggression, is this advisable? will it be too much for my filters to handle?? I'm really confused lol

 

[dannybgoode]

Yes, using the mature filter will skip the need to cycle but I always keep a check on water stats when moving filters just in case the bio load is different in the new tank.

So long as you keep the other filter sponges wet (a bucket of tank water should do it) the existing bacteria will be fine for a few hours. Some of the bacteria will die but as there are several million if not billions of them there'll be plenty left.

Again, I'd keep an eye on stats when you first run the new tank to make sure that there are no mini cycles taking place etc.

Cheers

Danny B

 

[Mrsdubs]

Thanks for te reply!!

See only having a few hours window for change over is goin to be difficult, should I wait until the day the new fish arrive in order to change everything over? I obviously don't want to leave the new fish in bags any longer than I absolutely have to

I was thinking of doing it the day before the new fish were due to arrive, so it gives everything time to settle, sand/water/temp etc

 

[Aquascaper]

Stick the external inputs/outputs into a large container if you have one and keep them running if you're going to to be taking a long time, otherwise they'll be fine just sitting filled with water. As mentioned already, check for a mini-cycle when they're back up and running before adding fish.

Doing it the day before is a good idea as you may be messing about with rock for a while getting it in place and kicking up sand

If you're concerned about the capability of the filters you could always perform a mini fishless cycle to ensure they will convert 4 - 5ppm of ammonia safely before getting the fish.

 

[Mrsdubs]

Thanks for the advice

How do I do a mini fishless cycle?

 

[Aquascaper]

Get hold of some ammonia solution (hardware stores or online - just make sure it's only ammonia + water), use the ammonia calculator on the forum and dose the appropriate amount. Once your filter deals with that amount in approx. 12hrs you're good to go.

It would be a good idea as adding all the cichlids at once is advisable to reduce aggression/territory disputes.

The other option is just to add them all anyway and keep a close eye on water quality, doing water changes as and when required to keep levels safe until the filters catch up with the bioload.

 

[Essjay]

Add 5ppm ammonia to the trigon and make sure it can clear it through to zero ammonia and zero nitrite in 12 hours, then you can get fish. if there will be a delay before fish go in that tank, just keep adding ammonia till you get them to feed the bacteria.


One thing occurs to me - you say you recently added the tetratec - how long ago? And did you swap some of the media from the aps or did you use all new media in the tetratec? If you used all new media in the tetratec, don't forget it will take at least 6 weeks to grow a decent number of bacteria in there. And when both filters sre fully cycled, they will hold bacteria in relation to their size. I assume the aps filter, being an internal, is smaller than the tetratec external? If you've been running both for several weeks, and intend moving it to the other tank with the fish currently in the trigon, there might not be enough bacteria left in the aps. But if it's only been a couple of weeks since you added the tetratec, there won't be many bacteria in it yet, they'll nearly all still be in the aps, so you'll definitley need to add ammonia to the trigon/teratec tank to check it's ready to add fish.

 

[Mrsdubs]

Thanks everyone!

Yeah only recently added the tetratec, the aps has been running for a while and started that one up with mature media so the aps one is fully cycled but the tetratec one isn't

I'll deffinately go the fishless cycling route, want to make sure everything is perfect before adding my fish.

It shouldn't take long with one filter already cycled an one partly

Thanks again everyone feel better about getting everything set up now