seeding new tank

[Apache]

Hi All,
I've seen several posts on how to seed a new tank using filter media and gravel from the old tank, but I still have a few questions and confusion.

So if I put old gravel and old filter in the new tank's filter, would I use completely fresh dechlorinated water (no old water)?

Would I need to add ammonia? Or would I just add fish straight away once temp is good?

How long should I leave the tank before adding fish and/or plants? Does it cycle immeadiately or just at a slower rate (i.e. 1 week versus 4 weeks the original way)?

I guess I'm just needing abit of clarification on how the process works and what to do when...

As an FYI, we would be moving (from our 30 gal) the cories and plecs to the new tank. I'd probably add the cories first...

Thanks!!

 

[yvez9]

setup the new tank
let it run for a few days to make sure filter and heater are working properly

then, add a piece of filter media or gravel or both along with the fish. The tank will be cycled but give the bacteria time to populate the entire filter media.

Only adding the cories at first would be a good idea, as they produce little waste

after 2 weeks, add another fish or two and so on

you can use fresh dechlornated water fopr the tank, just acclimate the fish as you would when you buy new fish

 

[The-Wolf]

So if I put old gravel and old filter in the new tank's filter, would I use completely fresh dechlorinated water (no old water)?

Would I need to add ammonia? Or would I just add fish straight away once temp is good?

How long should I leave the tank before adding fish and/or plants? Does it cycle immeadiately or just at a slower rate (i.e. 1 week versus 4 weeks the original way)?

Yes you can use new dechlorinated water.

No; there is no need for ammonia
Yes, you can add fish straight away
however do not add loads of fish at once
as this may crash the biosystem and cause
your tank to cycle again.


You would've cloned an existing tank;
ergo there is no cycle involved.
You may add fish and plants immediatly.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Apache

Let's back up a bit and be sure we both know that we are talking about the same thing.

To "cycle" a tank means to go through the steps necessary to establish a colony of beneficial bacteria that is large enough to consume the wastes your fish produce.

Once you have the bacteria, you have a cycled tank. OK? You can move it around from one tank to another and it will continue to do what it does. Some of the bacteria will consume ammonia and turn it into nitrites. Others will consume the nitrites and turn them into less harmful nitrates which you then remove when you do your water changes.

The trick is in having enough bacteria to clean up after the amount of fish you have in the tank. If you add more fish, this means they produce more ammonia. The bacterial colony will grow in proportion to their food source, so it's best to add new fish just a few at a time to let them catch up.

If you add too many fish at once, the result is a mini-cycle, which you will have to control through water testing and additional water changes. Eventually, everything will go back to normal, but to keep the ammonia and nitrites from harming your fish, you will just have to do the additional work.

Since most of the bacteria is in the filter and gravel, not the water, it's best not to reuse all the same water. I like to use 1/4 to 1/3 old water because it seems to prevent the formation of bubbles on the sides of the tank, but any more could cause your new tank to turn cloudy.

Once your colony of bacteria is established, the fish will feed it. Never add additional ammonia from any other source. If you have more bacteria than is necessary to utilize the ammonia the fish are producing, they will die off, so don't wait too long before adding some more fish, or be prepared to either add them slowly or monitor the water and do more changes if it starts to recycle.

Trying to guess how much bacteria you have in a tank and how much you need is the tricky part of keeping fish, but don't worry. As long as you know these basics, you will not go wrong.

 

[Apache]

Thanks folks, those are some great answers, and helps clear up my confusion immensely!! Once I get the new tank (in about 3 weeks, thay have to order it), we'll see how it goes!

Thanks again.