How much (%) bacteria

[pnyklr3]

How much bacteria is in the gravel, and how much is in the water? I am about to start up a new tank, and I'm going to seed it with gravel from my established tank. Should I use water from my 55 to start the 10? I can't imagine there being terribly too much bacteria in the water. Wouldn't I get a sort of mini-cycle after a water change (assuming large amounts of bacteria are lost)? By adding matured tank water to a new tank, am I just aiding the proccess? Thanks!

 

[Blue Lobster]

For the 10 gallon, I would just fill the whole thing with water out of the 55 and put the foam for the 10 in the filter for the 55 for a few days so the bacteria tranfers.

Should be no problems.

 

[pnyklr3]

A few days and it's cycled? AWESOME! It's an eclipse biowheel. COuld I just put the wheel in the 55 gallon for a few days? Or does it HAVE to spin to build up?

 

[rdd1952]

I don't know that the water from your established tank will do you much good but it probably won't hurt. From my understanding, there is only a small amount of bacteria actually in the water. Most of your good bacteria are either in your substrate or on your filter media. That's why water changes don't harm your bacteria colony. If you can take a filter from your established tank (along with the sand) and put it in your new one that would definitely speed the process. If the filter packs are different sizes, you can just hang the old one in the new tank, preferabley where it is in the water flow.

 

[pnyklr3]

Hmm, my 55 has an AquaClear filter on it (has a biobag, carbon, and a sponge filter) and the 10 has a hood with a built in filter. Should I cut a piece of sponge from the 55 gallon, or place the removable biowheel from the 10 gallon at the bottom of the 55?

 

[pnyklr3]

*bump* I hate to do it, but it has been busy today! Sorry

 

[vantgE]

I would suggest to you not to fool with the watter at all unless your fishleess cycleing then you have to add the amonia and such, but I would mostly suggest moveing some filter media from one tank to another if you can maybe put some gravel from the 55 into the filter would be better less gravel would go farther that way

 

[pnyklr3]

OK, I set up the tank this afternoon. I have the biowheel running, and a stocking with a handful (or two) or gravel in it sitting at the bottom. I would be better off putting the stocking in the filter? This is an eclipse hood, and I only had the biowheel (need to pick up a cartridge tomorrow). I can't put the gravel near the biowheel because there is not enough room. Should I put it on the the cartridge (carbon with a "fabric" top) when I get that?

I am doing a fishless cycle, but I need to have it done as quickly as possible. I was hoping that this would speed it along. Anyone know how long it takes to fishless cycle with these additions (and a little ammonia to go with)?

 

[vantgE]

The shortest fishless cycle i heard of was 9 days, I'm not sure how your filter works, but if you I think that would be very beneficial just to put some in especially if your trying to keep most of your gravel in your original tank. It would definately help however you figure out how to do it.

 

[Blue Lobster]

Forgot to mention when you take the water from the 55 for the 10 vacuum syphon the gravel at the bottom of your tank to get the most bacteria in the water that you can. Like rdd1952 said the "Good stuff" is in the gravel.

 

[pnyklr3]

Yes, I am trying to keep most of my gravel in my other tank. I was/am attempting to "seed" my 10 gallon.

Now this isn't making much sense. If I can remove bacteria by gravel vac, why don't I send my tank into a mini cycle when I do water changes and gravel vac? I assume that a large portion (if not all) bacteria stay "attached" to the gravel. Explain this to me the way it is...Please...Now

Edit: In theory, if I remove 1/5 of my gravel and 1/5 of my filter sponge and place both into the 10, it would be instantly cycled, right? Because bacteria for 11 gallons is there.

 

[pnyklr3]

*bump* Can't believe I have to do it again. So many new posts drown what I need answered!