Cycling new tank with old filter media

[catTV]

I'm moving existing fish and live plants from a 24g Aquapod to a 50g tank that will have a canister filter. Can I quickly cycle the new tank by transferring the existing bio-balls and ceramic rings from the old filter into the new canister filter, and maybe also soaking the sponge media from the old tank's filter in the new tank. Could it be established in a week or so? I could maybe toss in some food and a fish or two to create a little ammonia. I'll also be moving the existing Eco-Complete and adding another bag to the new tank if that makes a difference.

 

[Weezer]

Yes thats the way to do it, transfer and or squeeze all the media you can, watch wp's for a week or so........

 

[ThePBM]

just let it run for 2 weeks with new and old media. every other day give that sponge a squeeze right around the intake for that canister, then you can take it out after the 2 weeks. unless you have more testing supplies than you know what to do with, i wouldn't worry about them in a 50g

 

[Mgamer20o0]

the more stuff you move over the less chance of a cycle. moving the media and some fish over you might not have a cycle at all.

 

[jm1212]

if you move the filter over as soon as you move over the fish, it shoud still be able to handle their biolad.

 

[echoofformless]

Just remember to keep all of that media fully submersed in old tank water!


If you're moving up in tank size, there is less of a chance of there being any issues by the simple fact that even though you will be losing whatever bacteria was living in the substrate, glass, ornaments, etc of the old tank, the ammonia will be less concentrated, and therefore easier for the remaining bacteria to contend with. That means there is plenty of time for new bacteria to grow into itself and repopulate the system.

I don't foresee the slightest problem.