transferring filter from existing tank to new...

[keane]

Hi,

I am going to let my new fluval 3+ run on my existing tank to create a bacteria colony within it.

Am finishing off my new 55 gallon Mbuna tank this weekend and want to transfer the filter straight to my 55 once it has been set up. I will also then add a 304 external canister to the set up, which will not have been colonated.

I will also be placing a gravel filled stocking (gravel from my existing tank) on the sand substrate in the new 55 to further aid in bacteria production.

My question is...once I have everything else on the tank set up (lights, heating, substrate, rocks etc) can I transfer the colonated filter and simply add my Mbuna straight away or do i have to wait?

My guess is......because of the existing bacteria in the filter, the tank does not need to endure a cycle. The bacteria is already present and adding fish immediately will provide the ammonia to feed the bacteria.

I would be grateful for confirmation though!!

thanks in advance.

steve B)

 

[rdd1952]

I'm certainly no expert on cycling. Even if you add the good filter, your substrate would be new and not contain any good bacteria. I don't know how much of the bacteria colony actually exists in the substrate but I know I have read that adding substrate from an existing tank is a good way to seed bacteria into a new tank. Hopefully, someone else will respond and either confirm or refute this.

 

[flash]

Again I'm no expert but when I set up my 2nd tank I filled half the tank with used tank water added some media from the exsisting pump. Then let the water warm up to temp and added fish...

No probs and parameters stayed OK

 

[Raechal]

I am doing a fishless cycle with my 120 gallon and I let am using two filters I let run in my 29 gallon so I would have some good bacteria along with a sock full of gravel as well. My water is like this

am-6
ni-1
na-0

So I would wait or atleast test your water. You have the "good bacteria" in your 55 with the filter you put on but I don't think the "good bacteria" has anything to feed off of (no ammonia) so I think it would just die off. So you may have to start a cycle all over again or immediatly add your fish. That is what I think anyway, but I am no expert.

 

[pnyklr3]

But you can get lucky! Not being rude, because I got extremely lucky!!!! I set up my 55 gallon brand new EVERYTHING, got the filter running, water up to temp, then added the fish from my 10 gallon. WITH NO DEATHS!!! I had not heard of this "cycling" thing. I was very lucky.

You can run the tank the way you have planned, put a little bit of gravel from your first tank in a stocking and suspend in the tank, and let it run for a few days. If you want to help it along, add a drop or two of ammonia to the water or add some food. They will help cycle it.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi thebaldranger

The answer to your question depends on how long the filter you plan to move has been running in your tank. I usually figure it will tank 2 to 3 weeks for one to get a good colony of bacteria going.

The other thing to consider is how heavily stocked your new tank will be. If it is lightly stocked, it will naturally need fewer bacteria than if there are many fish in there.

In any event, you will have a good head start, and you can always test the water daily for awhile and complete the cycle by doing daily water changes to bring the chemicals down.

In other words, the longer you run the filter in your tank, and the fewer fish will be in the new one, the better your chances for success will be. You can add more fish gradually and all will be well.