New Tank

[KENYA]

Hi all,i have just bought a second hand tank which i filled today.The person i bought it from kept the filter sponges damp and his tank had been established for two years.He says that it shouldnt take a lot of cycling because of the mature bacteria,is this true?Also i bought a brand new tank 5 months ago and have got 2 plecs,a catfish,zebras,neons and lampeyes in that one.I am wanting to transfer one plec into the new set up tank,but want different species of fish to those in my other tank.I was looking at tiger and cherry barbs,but quite like mollies and guppies,which fish would be okay with each other?And would my plec be ok moving into new tank?Thank you

 

[Matty P]

How big is the new tank?

 

[KENYA]

How big is the new tank?

its a 90L tank

 

[backtotropical]

The bacteria depends on how the sponge has been kept. If the sponge has just been kept damp, there is probably no bacteria left.

The bacteria need a constant food source (ammonia, produced by fish in the tank), and oxygen which is provided by the water flowing over them to ensure a constant oxygen supply (this is why you put the sponge into the filter and dont just drop it into the tank).

It also depends on how long the sponge has been out the tank. The bacteria will stay alive no more than a few hours without the correct conditions. Hope this helps.