New tank Seeding

[spannerman]

Hi all, I have read in the forum pages about 'seeding' a new tank with gravel placed in a stocking from a mature tank, and then putting it back in the mature tank after 3/4 days. Is there any reason that the gravel from the mature tank, say 2/3 cupfulls couldn't be left in the new tank, and that gravel removed from the mature tank replaced with new clean gravel. I need to get this right in my head before I start this project. S.

 

[slimecoat]

Hi all, I have read in the forum pages about 'seeding' a new tank with gravel placed in a stocking from a mature tank, and then putting it back in the mature tank after 3/4 days. Is there any reason that the gravel from the mature tank, say 2/3 cupfulls couldn't be left in the new tank, and that gravel removed from the mature tank replaced with new clean gravel. I need to get this right in my head before I start this project. S.

I don't see why not. I think that advice might be if there is different types of gravel in the two tanks - so you might not want to mix it.

 

[freddyk]

No problem keeping it in there.

The most effective way to seed the new tank is actually to use filter media from an established filter and placing it in the new filter - because of the sheer amount of water forced through a filter, they contain a much higher population of bacteria then gravel, and will multiply more quickly in the new tank.

 

[spannerman]

I was going to use the new filter material in the mature tank to seed it anyway as well as gravel, unfortunately I will be using 2 different types of filters, but I'll see what I can fabricate. As I'm going to do a fishless cycle I'm sure I'll find some way. S.