Setting Up A New Tank Using Mature Media

[STEWARDSONS]

I am about to purchase a 65l litre tank for the little man in the house.

Can I take some of the wool out of my filter and put it into his and then use some of the water from my water change of my established tank?

It has had tropical fish in the tank before as I am getting it second hand.

How long shall I leave it to cycle for using my mature media and water?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I am about to purchase a 65l litre tank for the little man in the house.

Can I take some of the wool out of my filter and put it into his and then use some of the water from my water change of my established tank?

It has had tropical fish in the tank before as I am getting it second hand.

How long shall I leave it to cycle for using my mature media and water?

I used this method for my 110L tank, with a Fluval 205. I researched then asked the question regarding the media itself... you will probably find alot more of the beneficial bacteria from a donating tank live on the ceramic balls/tubes than the wool itself.
So, what other (if any) types of 'mechanical' filtration do you have? I was lucky enough to be given a complete handful of ceramic balls, which completed my cycle in 12 days.
With regards to the water, there really is not alot of the bacteria living in that,
and besides, the Bacs needed actually enjoy a supply of fresh water, so maybe think about using fresh, de-chlorinated water to fill your new tank.
Once you are happy set-up, temp, substrate (?) and you have completed the cross-over, continue to monitor your water test results, adding ammonia (i presume you are fishless cycling?) and partial water changes as the results depict.

Depending on how mature your existing tank is will decrease the time of your current cycle, but by how much differs across the hobby.. but also, may i suggest the completion of a 'Qualifying Week', i didn't do it fully with my smaller tank and learnt the importance of it.

regards.
Terry.

 

[STEWARDSONS]

i have ceramic media in my filter so will use a bit of that.

i was going to let it run for a week then add a couple of hardy tetras. providing the amonia and nitrite wasnt high

 

[The Taffy Apple]

i have ceramic media in my filter so will use a bit of that.

i was going to let it run for a week then add a couple of hardy tetras. providing the amonia and nitrite wasnt high

Yet if you get hold of a bottle of household ammonia you're future fish may live alot longer and happier
Believe me, i couldn't wait to get some 'hardy' fish in there and sit there watching them... but again, i learnt the hard way.
It really is upto you in what way you get your beneficial bacteria growing, but if you can spare a little amount of time a day i would seriously think about adding ammonia on a regular basis... that way you can record your results for future reference and be in complete control on how much ammonia is in your tank.

I did notice one thing though, the stocking you have on your 190L tank could produce ALOT of waste, therefore you should theoretically have a lovely development of useful bacteria... wether this would affect the way of cycling you choose to do i have no idea...but it would be interesting to see your results, keep us posted?

Terry.

 

[STEWARDSONS]

i do have a large amount of fish in the 190 but they are all still very young. the plan is to move some into this new tank eventually or get a bigger tank in a year or so if the mrs will let me.

i am planning on adding a fluval u2 or u3 into my 190 ready for when they start to get a bit bigger

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Would advise doing a proper fishless cyle, little man will be in tears i would assume if his fish die as the tank wast cycled and the ammonia spikes