Starting A Second Tank (Can I Use Water From First?)

[auburn97]

So my 8-year-old's 10-gallon tank is up and running, now my 5-year-old wants a tank of her own. For cycling purposes, would it be better to use water from the established aquarium? Also, how does one transfer "mature media" from one tank to another to speed the cycling process along? The second tank will be a 5- or 10-gallon tank starting with a betta and then adding a couple compatible species once the cycle is complete.

 

[CezzaXV]

The water makes no difference, as there is no bacteria in there. The bacteria live in mature media, which is the stuff inside your filter. You can comfortably transfer a third of the media from your current filter (as long as you replace it with new) into your new tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

The water won't help much, although it wouldn't do any harm as long as the 10 gallon is healthy.

You can take up to a third of the media (that's sponges or ceramic rings, or anything that's in the filter) from the 10 gallon and put it the filter of the five gallon.

You can then stock the new tank straight away, as long as you don't overstock it. What fish are in your son's tank? As then we can tell whether you could put a betta in the five gallon right away. You will need to test the water in case of 'mini-cycles' and feed both tanks very sparingly for a couple of days.

I wouldn't put any more fish in a five gallon. how about some shrimps? My kids love the shrimps

 

[HayzH]

if its a newly cycled tank...dont take as much as 1/3..
1/10th was suggested to me. So a small chunk. that should start the ball rolling.

 

[auburn97]

The water won't help much, although it wouldn't do any harm as long as the 10 gallon is healthy.

You can take up to a third of the media (that's sponges or ceramic rings, or anything that's in the filter) from the 10 gallon and put it the filter of the five gallon.

You can then stock the new tank straight away, as long as you don't overstock it. What fish are in your son's tank? As then we can tell whether you could put a betta in the five gallon right away. You will need to test the water in case of 'mini-cycles' and feed both tanks very sparingly for a couple of days.

I wouldn't put any more fish in a five gallon. how about some shrimps? My kids love the shrimps

10-gallon tank just finished a fish-in cycle with two platys and we have since added to danios and two ghost shrimp. I guess I could stuff a sponge into the base of the OTB filter and allow beneficial bacteria to grow on that for a week or so and then seed the new tank?

 

[creeker]

As for the tank size, get another ten gallon instead of a five. A five gallon is really an "experts tank" due to it's small size. Besides, you know your five year old is going to want more than just a Betta. There really isn't much difference in price. Also, be sure to stay on top of the kids when feeding. You might even want to measure out the portions yourself, or definitely supervise. Kids tend to overfeed, which will quickly foul the water in a ten gallon tank.

 

[auburn97]

As for the tank size, get another ten gallon instead of a five. A five gallon is really an "experts tank" due to it's small size. Besides, you know your five year old is going to want more than just a Betta. There really isn't much difference in price. Also, be sure to stay on top of the kids when feeding. You might even want to measure out the portions yourself, or definitely supervise. Kids tend to overfeed, which will quickly foul the water in a ten gallon tank.

That's good advice on the tank size, thanks. My 8yo understands that she is only to feed under my supervision- the 5yo will take a little more work!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

get an empty pill box from fle bay with the 7 days on it, you can measure the portions out once a week and the kids will feel like they doing all themselfs, you just not watch they dont put all 7 days in at once lol. taking one third media is fine in a establised tank they will reproduced in less then 48hours if you replce the media at the same point