Speeding Up Cycling

[Guppi32011]

I have just bought a new tank (20 gallon) and it is going through a cycle. I have a 10 gallon set up with fish in. The filter is internal and has a sponge and a carbon bag. Could i use the carbon bag in my new filter to speed up cycling without it affecting my 10 gallon with fish in?

 

[doresy]

Hi, firstly carbon will hinder a cycle process.
In fact unless you are removing old medications or clearing water staining (ie. from bog wood etc.) I would not recommend using carbon at all.

The only 2 ways to speed up cycling are to use a piece of matured media from a cycled filter and turn the heat up to around 85* (remembering of course to turn it down once cycled!).

If it were me I would swap about a third of the sponge media from your 10 gallon to the 20 gallon. I would also discard the carbon bag from the 10 gallon and put in some more sponge instead.

One last thing, don't feed the fish in the 10 gallon for a day or so to allow bacteria to build up again.