Preparing Ceramic Media

[evan47]

hi, i have recently cycled my tank and am thinking of getting a second one in a couple of months time.
to speed up the cycle of the second tank i am thinking of of getting some spare ceramic media for my existing tanks filter (fluval u2) which was only half filled when bought new, filling the media holder with the extra media, leaving it there for a month or more.
then when i get a second tank i would remove the extra media (leaving the original stuff in the media holder) and putting it in the second tanks filter. i would then add some gravel and one or two plants or ornaments from the cycled tank in to the second tank.
is this a good idea to speed up the cycle or is it just as well to simply place some ceramic media in a mesh bag and leave it in my cycled tank to let the bacteria build up? 

 

[Ch4rlie]

I have had the fluvial u2, decent little filter.
 
Don't bother with the carbon cartridge, swap that and the white filter sponge with your established sponge if you can.
 
And fit as much established ceramic media in the central container.
 
 
Really the best place for any bacteria media wether its sponge or ceramic is inside the filter, the bacteria need there food delivered to them and the best place for that is inside the filter.
 
Adding gravel / substrate from established tank will be of a big help too as bacteria grows on these as well.

 

[TrickySpot]

You want high water flow, so get it into your filter, just floating in the tank is far less productive!