How Long To Cycle 5gal Tank?

[Animation]

Hey i have already started doing my fishless cycle in my 5g in all my other tanks i have left it for two weeks, will it be a shorter time because the tank is only small?

 

[tttnjfttt]

I don't know if it will go faster, but since it is fishless, take your new spounge, and put it in one of your established tanks for a few days, then continue the fishless cycle, that should really speed things up.

 

[Chri$]

a smaller tank will take the same time to cycle as a larger tank.

 

[Animation]

Ok thanks

 

[Squid]

a smaller tank will take the same time to cycle as a larger tank.

Im not doubting you, but why is this? surely there is less bacteria required to cycle a small tank..

i remember an old food hygeine course when i was younger, and they said that bacteria on food doubled every 20 minutes.. now i know this is different bacteria, but if that was the case with this bacteria, then it would field enough bacteria for a small tank sooner..

like i said, im not doubting you though, just wondering how the science bit works

Squid

 

[Animation]

LOL, that's why i asked mate
But better be safe than sorry

 

[seanc]

The longest part is getting a sufficient seed; the air carries very little in comparison to even one piece of gravel from an established tank. Using the 5 gal's filter in your main tank for a couple weeks to let the bacteria build up then transferring it back would work well. (if you decide to do this search Cloning on here)

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

But after transfering it back, you will need to make sure there is ammonia for the little guys to eat so they dont starve to death.

 

[seanc]

Yup just transfer back when you add fthe fish. or add ammonia faily but its a bit of a waste; easier to just leave it in your other tank.