How Long To Do A Cycle Using A Cycled Filter

[orli]

Hello everyone,

I bought a used fish tank 3 days ago, it was running and still full of water upto about 2 hours before I picked it up. I made sure everything stayed wet and the fluval 205 canister was full of the old fish tank water. I set up the tank, it is up to a stable temperature, got the filter running. I have checked the water today and all is 0 except nitrAtes that are at about 30ppm.

I have an already set up tank that is fully cycled and will put the filter from that into the new tank along with all the plants and ornaments.

I was wondering if anyone knew how long it would take to cycle the new tank using 2 already cycled filters? Or if it instantly cycles a tank if you use a matured filter. I would like to put my fishies in the new tank asap but obviously dont want to harm them.

Any advice or answers would be greatly appreciated, Iv tried to look on google but am having no luck.

Orli

 

[KittyKat]

If you are moving *everything* from the old tank to the new one, you can do so now.

If you want to fish-less cycle the new tank, until it completely processes the desired amount of ammonia and nitrite in 12 hours.

 

[Miles_hot]

in theory it should all be cycled - though if you're not providing an ammonia source the bacteria will start to die off (50% per 24 hours is a figure I've seen)... I would get some ammonia in there and see what it does

 

[orli]

in theory it should all be cycled - though if you're not providing an ammonia source the bacteria will start to die off (50% per 24 hours is a figure I've seen)... I would get some ammonia in there and see what it does

thankyou both for the replies, I might put half my fish in today and see how they go, if theres problems I can put them back in my old tank untill it is ready.

 

[KittyKat]

in theory it should all be cycled - though if you're not providing an ammonia source the bacteria will start to die off (50% per 24 hours is a figure I've seen)... I would get some ammonia in there and see what it does

From what I have heard and observed, 50% per 24 hours without water circulation (so a disconected external, for example, going up to 90% for a disconnected internal which is in a bag without additional water) and 10% for a running filter without an ammonia source.

thankyou both for the replies, I might put half my fish in today and see how they go, if theres problems I can put them back in my old tank untill it is ready.

You don't know how much bacteria the "new" filter has, so it would be safer to move all fish and the "old" filter onto the new tank.

 

[orli]

thankyou, in the process of moving everything now! The old heater (new one is already running but is good to have 2 incase one breaks) will go in once all fish are in, half the fish are in a very large bag (ones you get from LFS) getting aclimatised, although the temp is exactly the same I imagine this will still need to be done, and then the filter will be put in also! Got to try and catch 2 Ancistrus!! not fun as they are so quick, also didnt realise denisoni barbs could jump so high!

 

[KittyKat]

The acclimatisation is most useful if the pH, KH and GH are different.. 1-2 degree temperature changes shouldn't make a difference

 

[orli]

well in theory its exactly the same! they are all in now and seem to love the room, except for the ranbows who are cowering in th corner.
Thankyou very much for the replies