Shortcutting Tank Cycling With Filter-switching

[eschaton]

So, I found a used 40 gallon this weekend, and picked up two used cheap filters. I'm using play sand and it will take forever to wash the silt out enough to put fish in, but since I'm shutting down one of my 20 gallons for quite awhile and only leaving up the other one until I can move a few critters into a nano, I'm wondering what you all think about this idea.

I just set up both of my new (used) filters on my existing tanks. Double filtration shouldn't hurt, right? It will probably take two weeks until the other tank is set up enough, which gives the bacteria fairly ample time to find their way into the new filters.

Then, when the other tank is ready, either take the new (partially cycled) or old (fully-cycled) filters and stick em on the new tank, along with moving most of the fish and plants in immediately. Bang! Cycled tank.

Anyone do something similar before?

 

[gstrydom]

So, I found a used 40 gallon this weekend, and picked up two used cheap filters. I'm using play sand and it will take forever to wash the silt out enough to put fish in, but since I'm shutting down one of my 20 gallons for quite awhile and only leaving up the other one until I can move a few critters into a nano, I'm wondering what you all think about this idea.

I just set up both of my new (used) filters on my existing tanks. Double filtration shouldn't hurt, right? It will probably take two weeks until the other tank is set up enough, which gives the bacteria fairly ample time to find their way into the new filters.

Then, when the other tank is ready, either take the new (partially cycled) or old (fully-cycled) filters and stick em on the new tank, along with moving most of the fish and plants in immediately. Bang! Cycled tank.

Anyone do something similar before?

The idea basically is good and just remember to make sure the new tank's water temperature is about the same as the old one with the filters on, as well as properly declorinated before you move the filters. Also try not to have the filters stand without water circulating for more than 20-30 minutes, as the bacteria need oxygen rich water to survive.

BUT, you will NOT have an instant cycled tank - at least you will give your new tank a big boost in the cycling process, but remember that your filter is only a PART of the total system and there are loads of bacteria on your plants, ornaments, substrate, etc. Is an excellent idea to also use some of your old tank's substrate in the new one. My personal idea is the best you can possibly do for a new tank is to get some plants from an established tank (without any disease of course!) - you get instant bacteria, AND the plants use ammonia like a sponge - definately a live saver if you want to put fish in early. Just make sure you remove any decaying plant material immediately.

Resist the temptating to overstock the tank, keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels and your new tank should be cycled sooner than starting from scratch!

Have fun!!

 

[eschaton]

Thanks for the advice.

Both my existing tanks are planted, as will the new one. It's the main reason I'm looking to shortcut. As soon as I turn on the plant light, algae galore will grow unless I move over most of my plants ASAP. But, if I take the plants out of the existing tanks while most of the fish are still in their old homes in each of the 20 gallons, I could really un-cycle those tanks badly (as, from what I gather, plants do as much to keep nitrates down as bacteria does).

But yeah, I was more thinking along the lines of moving over 50% of the stock from each of the tanks once the filters/plants were moved over. Say 15 tetras/danios/corys. And then moving the other things over as the tank fully stabilizes.