Cycling... using an established tank

F

flipsta

AC Members
Mar 27, 2010
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Hello

I have read a lot on freshwater cycling on this forum... I will definitely try that on the next tank I start.

I have a 3gal Marinland System 3 (Carbon Filter and Bio Wheel) tank and a 25gal with a Marineland Eclipse 2 lid (again, Carbon Filter and Bio Wheel).

How would I go about starting a new tank? I read that you can just place your filter from the new tank in an established tank for a week. If I got another Marineland system would that mean place my new Bio Wheel in the established tank? Or the Carbon Filter thing?

I dont know about any other filtering systems... so what other things would I "place in the tank" and then install in my new tank to helpo the cycling process?

Thanks y'all.

I'm emebarrsed to say that it seems I've been doing the "fish-in" cycling, but not the correct way... thus stressing out my newly purchased fish. oops.
 
I keep my extra filter media for a Qt tank in the main tank's HOB marineland biowheel filter itself. Collects lots of bacteria there; I just rinse it with the main filter. It does not seem to interfere with flow, as long as I rinse both filters regularly in used tank water.
 
Easy way?

Go and buy a spare filter now. Doesn't need to be anything flash, just something that pumps water though some media.

Plug that into your 25gal tank.

After a couple of weeks it will have picked up some useful cycle bacteria. It will do no harm to your existing tank to have double filtering.

Then when you buy a new tank, set it all up and let things settle for a day or 2. Then add your first few fish AND the pre-cycled filter. The tank wont be fully cycled, but it's not fully stocked either. The filter will have some working cycle, so just let things settle for a week, then start building up the fish numbers.

I have 4 tanks and 6 filters running, so I can move them around as needed. So if I need to set up a new tank I just grab a spare, already cycled, filter and I'm good to go.

Like I said, the tank isn't fully cycled, but it has some working cycle, is safe for a few fish, and you can work from there.

Ian
 
Easier way still. Move half the media from the filter in the existing tank to the filter in the new tank.
 
KarlTh said:
Easier way still. Move half the media from the filter in the existing tank to the filter in the new tank.
Click to expand...
BINGO!!!!!

Not only is it the easier way...its the best way, fastest way and did i mention the easiest way?!!!!
​


  • Fill your new tank with water gravel etc....
  • Turn on your new filter
  • Wait a day or two for the water to clear
  • Place 1/2 the media from your established tank in your new tanks filter
  • Lightly stock your tank (about 1/2 of what you want to stock)
  • Next week stock the rest of your tank.
  • Monitor your water parameters and do water changes if necessary
 
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