outlaw

I already read about the nitrogen cycle and the options to speed things up.

I bought a 55Gal bow front setup with fish off craigslist. I pick it up next Saturday. The only media I have is going to be in that gravel and filter. The water is only going to be what comes with the fish (about 5Gal) for transport.

The problem I have is I also have a 20Gal trying to cycle, it is new gravel and a new filter. The fish get here in a week, 6 Cichlids upto 4"big. The tank I am trying to cycle now is a 20Gal so I don't have to keep them in the 5Gal bucket waiting for the 55Gal to heat up and make sure the water is ok. I have biozyme (only thing the store had to help). Is there anything else I can do? The store, like most, said I could put a fish in there to help. I don't want to do that if the Cichlids won't like them. Or can I just get a Cichlid to do it. The tank with the gravel and filter has been on a day now (was just cycling water before that).

I read you can do raw fish or shrimp, but don't know if it is worth that or will work. Any help is appreciated.

COBettaCouple

Only BioSpira or filter media/substrate from an established tank helps speed up the cycle. I hear good things about Stability but haven't tried it yet. You can run aeration in the water and turn the heater(s) to maximum to help some.

Once the fish get there, you should change out 40-50% of the water and clean the substrate of any old food used for cycling. Treat all the water with Prime and do water changes of about 25% every 2-3 days to keep the levels low enough for the fish, testing before each water change to chart the cycle progress.

susitna-flower

Outlaw, Let me see if I can recap this.
You are buying a used tank with a new filter and gravel,? which you will be picking up next Sat. It has fish and all are going to be transported with only 5 gal of water. Your problem is you don't think it is cycled? Is this tank cycled, or not? Is the filter and gravel in this one new or old? If it is all cycled and you just need to transport it, put new water in and go, you CAN use water out of the house tap at approx the right temp, and it should be good to go, as long as you have the dechlorinator in.
Just make sure to use a thermometer as you fill. If you have kept the filter and gravel all moist and approx. the right temp while you transport, the bacteria should be fine. If you are transporting in a 5 gallon bucket, it should be ok to keep the fish in that for several hours to overnight, if you slip a heater in, and air stone.

Or are you only worried that your 20 g tank you are cycling now isn't ready for any fish, and you want to put the 6 new fish in there for the time it takes to warm water in the new (used) tank?

If that is the case, your 20 gallon could get a 50% change before you go pick up the new fish, and unless you are using 100% ammonia to cycle it, your fish should be ok in this tank, say overnight till you have the used tank set back up just the way you want it. I personally think this would be much more stress on the fish than leaving them in the water they are used to in that 5 gallon bucket, till their tank is ready.
Either way, I think you can rest. How far do you have to go for the tank? Let us know how it all plays out.

outlaw

The trip is about an 1.5hrs and about 80miles one way.

Quick Summary:
Bought Setup; Tank is currently setup with cycled water/gravel/filter and fish.

Have; Tank currently setup with uncycled water/gravel/filter and no fish.


The problem with putting a heater in the bucket is, it is an HOB heater or a heater built-in to an HOB filter. It won't reach the water. I can put them on the stove on low? haha JK JK JK! That is partly why I wanted the 20Gal and I didn't know if the tank would go through another cycle or not with a 90%+ water change. The 5Gal bucket with fish is going to be the only actual water from the tank. Should I just put the filter in with the fish to keep the media on it alive? or would it last a 1.5hr trip. The time is based off of Mapquest so this is just an approximation. (ooo big word lol). Also, with the 20Gal cycling, I can use the gravel and filter on the other tank to help.

If it is less stress to just leave them in the bucket, set everything up, and go... I can do that. Just thought this would've been less stressful, other then the transfers. But, now that I think about it, that is probably more stress right there then the water not to temp or a little out of balance.


Sustina- updated the first sentence of the 3rd paragraph. Should make more sense. Sorry, I am at work typing this all up. I will post pics and let you know how it goes.

Cobetta- Since I had water just "cycling" in a filter/medialess tank, I did about a 40-50% change (had to move it). Does that count . I will do it when we get back on Sat. Can't wait!


Thanks everyone.