Upgrading tank

[Sophiebu]

Hi guys I need some help. We have recently upgraded from 60l to 160l tank. We have been doing so much research on what’s best to do to get the cycle started but still unsure whether it’s best to add water from the old tank or any other steps to help the full cycle start? It’s currently full of 100% new water. The new tank has been running for around 2 days now. Any help would be so appreciated !

 

[PorshaF]

You can transfer media from an established tank into your new filter to help kick start. Or there are products designed to help, they all still take some time. I used aqueon bacteria balls, I think is what they were called. You just select the right sized ball and drop it into the filter box. If you have media you can take the media out of the filter box from the established tank, place it into the new box with new media (if you don't think you'll have enough just from the older tank) or bottled bacteria, ammonia for cycling is also available readily. Heres a helpful link! https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/

 

[anewbie]

I don't bother adding the old water - what is important is to use the old filter. All my tanks have sponge filters so i move those into the new tank and if the tank i'm upgrading has a canister filter or hob i also move that. Filter media has a lot of bacteria. I will sometime get spikes of up to .5 ammonia so i put in a few drop of sachem prime but by day 4 or 5 it is usually fine (you won't see ammonia until you add the fish - and the fishes should be added the same day you move the filters).
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Also if you are setting up a new tank and not just upgrading - run an extra sponge filter in your establish tank for a month and then move it to the new tank.