what to do with used subrate after cycling a tank with it

[mooch4056]

I was able to cycle a 29 gallon in 3 weeks seeding it with 2 nylon stockings full of gravel from my established 55 gal tank hanging on the sides... along with putting gravel from the established tank and a few stones from the established tanks in the 29 filter. So three weeks and 2 days later ... thats 23 days the tank is cycled. ammonia = 0 nitrite = zero and nitrates = 20 by the way its an aqua clear filter 30 gal

So i want to start to add fish slowly. Right now there are 6 zebra danios in there.

The question is what do I do with the substrate i have hanging in the tank in the stockings and the subsrate i put in the filter. if i take them out will there be a mini cycle? They is gravel in the nylon and the new tank subtrate is sand so i am not going to mix them.

Also, is it safe to put the subtrate i used to cycle the 29 gal back to the 55 gal or should i just toss it ?

 

[J double R]

if your tank is fully cycled, you should be fine.. also, it's perfectly fine to put back in the 55.

 

[jm1212]

there is plenty of bacteria everywhere else in the tank now, so go ahead and take it out.

 

[beviking]

How careful (how much do you care) about quarantining and sick fish? If you're sure the new fish aren't sick or harboring parasites, or just don't care, put the media back into the 55. Anytime you transfer from one tank to another after adding new stock there is a potential for transferring some nasties too :eek3: Other than that, it's fine to transfer back to the 55.

6 danios in a 29g...there is probably enough bacteria in the tank even if you do remove the stockings and media out of the filter. Some might caution you to only remove one stocking, wait a week or so, then the other, wait, then the media in the filter. You could remove the stockings, test in a couple days, and then add them back in if you needed to. I doubt you would have to though.

 

[mooch4056]

thanks for the advice everyone.

it always feels good when you finally cyle a tank. Not as good as Christmas morning for a kid.... but still a good feeling