Rant

[JamieBailie]

Start the cycle the day you leave, As it usually takes around a week for the ammonia to return to 0 the first time it's added.

 

[Matty P]

Yeh that could work

 

[madmom]

Sounds like you've had a visit from Murphy LOL (Murphy's Law). Don't see why you can't start a fishless cycle before you go away and continue when you return.

 

[Matty P]

If you add maybe 6-7ppm of ammonia before you go it might work>???...

 

[Chri$]

You already have a cycled 12g so why not use some media from that filter to seed your new one?

 

[joecoral]

Start the cycle the day you leave, As it usually takes around a week for the ammonia to return to 0 the first time it's added.

Thats what I plan to do