New Tank Setup - The Third!

[rust81]

I am just about to setup my third tank a 130 litre tropical setup. I currently have a 50L and a 70L which are both tropical setups. I want to get a tetratec ex700 filter for the new tank but rather than go through the whole fishless cycling method, could i set the new filter up on one of my current tanks in order for it to mature? I have some extra foam sponges from one of my old filters that i could kick start it off with?

The alternative would be to use the new filter on the new tank and fishless cycle. Just trying to work out what method would be best?

 

[SJ2K]

Id set up the new filter on the new tank and use media pieces/squeezes to speed up the fishless cycle

 

[doresy]

I am just about to setup my third tank a 130 litre tropical setup. I currently have a 50L and a 70L which are both tropical setups. I want to get a tetratec ex700 filter for the new tank but rather than go through the whole fishless cycling method, could i set the new filter up on one of my current tanks in order for it to mature? I have some extra foam sponges from one of my old filters that i could kick start it off with?

The alternative would be to use the new filter on the new tank and fishless cycle. Just trying to work out what method would be best?

If it were me I would do as SJ2K suggested.

The trouble with doing as you suggested is if you run 2 filters together then bacteria will form but the amount will only be determined by the bioload of the fish in the tank. That means some of the bacteria in the first filter may become redundant and die as the bacteria in the new filter develops. This would result in a slower process than if you did a fishless cycle with a mature media kick start.

Hope all that makes sense