Fishless Cycling - Gravel

[markiey777]

If you have an established tank, is it possible to get some new gravel, put that in a mesh bag, and leave it in there for a week or so, then use that gravel for a new tank? Presumably the bacteria would form on the gravel over time, and give the new tank a helping hand.

 

[scubadoo]

In theory some bacteria would form on the new gravel, but your unlikely to get much growth in a week. Also if the existing tank is established, then there will likely be a colony of bacteria suitable to consume the amount of waste produced by the existing fish - so unless an additional amount of ammonia is created, its unlikely that you'd get a substantial increase in the bacteria colony of the system.

A better bet would be to use some of the old gravel in a stoccking and place that in the new tank to help seed the new system as part of a fishless cycle. Used filter media would be a better bet though.

 

[xoedusk]

A better bet would be to use some of the old gravel in a stoccking and place that in the new tank to help seed the new system as part of a fishless cycle. Used filter media would be a better bet though.

I did that to the tank I am cycling. I actually just used one or two handfuls of the established rock and put that in with the new rock. Seems to be working out great!