Would this be considered "cycled"

[Karah's_Mommy]

I just got a new 5 gallon tank to put a few fish in, and I was wondering .... If I used only gravel from my already cycled tanks, and used water from them to fill it up, would it be a cycled tank? Or would I still go through a cycling effect ?

 

[fishwatcher]

From what I've read on the forum, as long as the gravel is taken directly from your tank (not left out to dry somewhere is what I mean) then I think it would have at least a good headstart on being cycled. I'd still be careful as to how many fish you stock it with right off, though. It may would mini cycle.
I would wait on someone else to answer too though as I have not been at this long myself. This is just what I've read here.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I generally consider a tank cycled when ammonia and nitrites are both at zero. Taking gravel from an old tank can make it go alot faster, but be sure to check your water before adding more fish.

 

[Dubby]

It might do a mini cycle depending on the bio load. So the best way to test if its still cycling is check for ammonia, nitrites.

Since its quite a small tank it will probably be cycled with all that gravel & water from the main tank.

 

[Bloo]

To be honest - in my opinion no. Considering that minimal baceria is present in the substrate and the majority in the filter media. It's only cycled when ammonia and Nitrite readings are 0.

 

[ncjharris]

point to remember - remeber to declorinate your water before you add it too the tank with existing media, or the chlorine will kill off the bacteria, rendering the whole thing a waste of time!

I'm sure you would have anyway though!


The best thing I think you can do to seed a tank is to transfer filter media, as bloozoo said.

Do this either by leaving a filter pad/wool in your existing tank for a couple of days to 'collect' some bacteria, before using this in your new filter - or - take some existing filter media from your exisitng tank (either one pad if you have one that uses 2, or cut a pad in half) and put this in your new filter.

HTH

 

[OohFeeshy]

Whats currently in there fishwise?

 

[Karah's_Mommy]

I'm not putting in any fish until I'm sure the tank has been cycled. I set it up last night, with gravel and water from my cycled tanks and I'm letting it run. Today I will add some ammonia and check the water parameters tonight. I'm not in a hurry to stock it, so I'm thinking I'll just watch it for a week or so. I did a fishless cycle on my last 10 gallon, and it took me only 8 days. That tank has been up and running for 4 months and I haven't lost a fish yet. So, on second thought, I'm just gonna cycle this one and not take any chances.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Whoops, sorry, I misread your first post ) I thought it said you'd put some fish in already... duh... Yep, seems a good plan to me