How Do You Keep Your Hospital/breeding Tank Cycled?

[fishRfriends]

I recently moved my swordtail fry out of the 5.5 gallon ( they grow up so fast) and now I'm thinking about using the tank as a breeding/fry tank or a hospital tank, whichever need arises first. My question is, how do I keep the tanl cycled until I need it again? Just keeping it running I can't imagine would be good, because the bacteria would die without a bioload right? Do I just keep the filter running in a different tank and then add filter and water when I need? Thanks, sorry if this is a stupid question lol.

 

[SamUK]

put the filter in one of your other tanks and take it out to use when you need it.

 

[McMurray]

i change out the water with the freash water from my other tank. then top the other tank up with my ro system

 

[SirMinion]

A large population of malaysian trumpet snails.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Normally using cycled media in another filter, but thereoretically it would be more hygenic to use a lot of chemical media.