Cycling My New Tank

[jason26]

I get my new tank delivered this week fluval roma 240, the filter that comes with it is a fluval 305 external filter.

My question is i already have an established tank with exactly the same filter, is it possible to put some of the old internal medium into my new filter so i am swapping them round.

Would this help speed up the cycling process. I have never changed any of the medium in the old filter.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Jason,

Are you planning to keep the old tank running so you now have 2 tanks, or are you planning to transfer everything from the old tank to the new tank, effectively replacing it?

Cheers

BTT

 

[jason26]

Hi Jason,

Are you planning to keep the old tank running so you now have 2 tanks, or are you planning to transfer everything from the old tank to the new tank, effectively replacing it?

Cheers

BTT

Yes i am going to keep the 2 tanks running, keep the one the same as it is already and just set up a new extra one. hopefully changing over some of the internal medium.

 

[backtotropical]

In that case, i would advise that you should take 1/3 of the established media from the old filter and transfer it into the new filter. You can replace it with 1/3 of the new filter media supplied with the new filter.

At the same time, you should add fish to the new tank. The old filter media will be laced with enough bacteria to cope with 1/3 of the waste produced in the old tank, so aim to add the equivalent of about 1/3 of the fish. It is important to add the fish and the mature media at the same time, or it won't work.

By doing this, you can effectively skip the cycling process and have an instantly cycled tank.

So to re-cap

1. Set up the new tank, fill with ornaments, plants etc.

2. Fill with dechlorinated water.

3. Switch on the heater, new filter etc.

Basically your new tank is now running, but without fish.

4. Go to the shop and buy fish approx equivalent to 1/3 of the fish in the old tank. (Do not buy more than this)

5. Bring the fish home and acclimatise them in the new tank.

6. Switch off both filters and swap 1/3 of the old media for 1/3 of the new media.

7. Switch on both filters again and add fish straight away.

Once you have done this, you should monitor ammonia and nitrite levels in both tanks for around 1 week, just in case.

If you detect any ammonia or nitrite in either tank, counter it with large water changes. Ammonia and nitrite are both lethal to fish and levels should be kept as close to 0 as possible. A good level to aim for is to keep both levels below 0.25mg/l, although 0 is best.

Hope this helps. Any more questions, just ask.

Cheers

BTT

 

[jason26]

Thanks for your reply its really detailed and easy to follow. Rather than put fish in straight away could i instead add ammonia to feed the bacteria and check how the filter is performing.

 

[backtotropical]

Adding ammonia is also an option, Jason. However, note that this must also be done straight away to avoid any die off of the bacteria.

If you are happy to add only the equivalent of 1/3 of the fish, then there shouldn't be any need for the ammonia, but it wouldn't do any harm to add ammonia to see how quickly it is processed before adding fish, just to be sure.

Alternatively, you could just start a fishless cycle, but use the mature media as a kickstart to reduce cycling time. This would obviously apply if you want to add more than that 1/3 equivalent of fish in the beginning.

Cheers

BTT