momo9700

Okay, so I got a new 10g tank and I already have a 29g that is cycled. I heard you can cycle a fish tank using already cycled water. How do I do this? (And also does it speed up the cycling process or what?)

tzqng8

The bacteria in a cycled tank live mainly in the filter media, decorations, and gravel (substrate) of the tank, not so much in the water. Sometimes, when you first cycle a tank, you'll see a cloudiness in the tank, this is sometimes said to be a bacteria bloom and are the bacteria multiplying before settling into and onto the surfaces mentioned above.

So, I don't think you would see much of speed up using this method. Taking some of the gravel and putting it into pantyhose and hanging that on the back of the new tank? Now, there's a method that could work.

Hope that helps!

Lucy

The water doesn't contain all that much bacteria, if any.

You can use a peice of filter media, decorations or gravel (placed in clean pantyhose or net and hung from the side) from your established tank.

I cycled a 5g this way, I tested it for 3 days first with pure ammonia to make sure the bacteria was viable.
Good luck.

Shawnie

or even cut off some of the filter of the established tank and put it in the new tank

congrats doing it fishless!!!!!!

momo9700

thanks! and i wanted to know, if i do the gravel in pantyhose, how long will it take to cycle? i just got like a handful of gravel and stuffed in my fishtank pantyhose(i've needed them before for my fish) and tied it in a knot then put it in the 10g. is that okay? this is my second tank, but i cycled the first one with fish.

Shawnie

No one can ever guess how long a cycle takes every tank is dfferent..certainly the smaller the tank, the faster...but it also depends on what method is used to cycle it...the panty hose, was it new? or has it been washed before? Just have to be careful about the detergents we use ...fish are so picky with that stuff LOL

tzqng8

Now you can add some ammonia and see if it is turned into nitrate within 24 hours. Add x drops until you get the reading up to 5 PPM. Check the tank 24 hours later. If you get 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, 5-20 Nitrates, that sock with rocks is full of bacteria.

Then you can add some fish (start slow, of course) and continue monitoring water conditions. If they stay good for a week (good meaning 0, 0, 5-20) then start removing a little bit of gravel from the pantyhose each week until it is all gone and the pantyhose can be removed.

By removing a little at a time, you'll ensure that the tank will make up for the loss of the abcteria by having it grow elsewhere (in the gravel of the new tank, in the filter, on decorations, etc.)

You can read about fishless cycling here. Your only difference is that you will be seeding the new tank with some bacteria to help speed along the process.

momo9700

i dont know if it was washed or new. i just found it in my drawer. i know i have some unworn pantyhose that havent been washed, but i dont know if this was one of them. i'm hoping it wont take more than a month, but idk... my first tank cycled pretty fast.

Lucy

Yes, you did fine putting the gravel in the pantyhose.

I tested mine for 3 days with pure ammonia and each day it was gone by the following day. So, really, I feel like I could have gone ahead and added my betta the first day.

If you're not adding fish right away, don't forget to feed the bacteria or it will die off. Otherwise, add fish slowly like you normally would to give the bacteria a chance to catch up to the bio load.

I would test the first few days, with or without fish just to be sure.

What are you going to put in the tank?

momo9700

okay. i guess i need to go get myself i new water testing kit then. my ld one broke last week so...yea...i just hope my mom will lend me enough money! i already owe my parents 40 dollars...hehe

momo9700

im going to put in my neon tetra and platy fry. i'm considering adding my amano shrimp in there. would it be safe to put the neon in tomorrow? if the amonia and nitrate levels and stuff are good.

Shawnie

I dont think your tank is cycled that fast...get the testing kit first and then you can make your decisions..as tk said, 0 ammonia & nitrites, ad 20 or lower nitrates means its safe to add fish

Lucy

If your tests are good, I would add them..a couple at a time and continue to test for a few days.

momo9700

okay. i want to be really safe when i add the platy fry in. i do have a question about the testing kit, my dad keeps saying i can use his chlorine kit testing thingy(the ones you use for pools) for my tank. can i really use that? or do they only test for chlorine and amonia

Lucy

If the end result of cycling is growing beneficial bacteria to consume ammonia, and you add that bacteria, it needs ammonia to live....either fish or another source.

I don't believe this is considered cycling with fish because you've added bacteria.

I agree continue testing.

momo9700

So...what your saying is....?

momo9700

also, how do i "feed" the bacteria? i'm not sure if i can get any pure amonia for my tank...im really underbudgeted rite now.

Lucy

I'm saying you're adding bacteria, it needs a source of ammonia to live....meaning fish poo.
If you want to be on the safe side you can use fish food and wait to add fish until you're sure of your water parameters.
I really think it's safe to add 1 or 2 small fish.

You can use fish food....or you can add a couple of your neons, their poo will be a source of ammonia.

Oh, and the tests your dad uses on the pool are probably strips, which aren't accurate and probably won't test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

momo9700

so should i wait until tomorrow to put in my neons? or is it ok to do today, i set the tank up like only two hours ago.

Lucy

It's up to you whether you add them now, I can only give you my experience with this type of cycling.

I think you'd be ok doing it today if you only add 1 or 2 neons.

Be sure to test tomorrow though, and everyday for a while.

momo9700

okay. thanks guys! i'm going to go put one neon in now i think.

Lucy

Let us know how you make out.

Good luck.

Shawnie

first of firsts, get an API liquid test kit, and do all the tests required for a cycled tank..then go from there....NO its not ok to use a pool test kit...you arent looking for chlorine as you should have treated the tap water with prime or some other de-chlorinator...you want something to tell you what the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are...If you just got your tank as your original post says, theres no way it can be cycled in a day unless you used something like bio-spira ...even if you used media from another tank...

momo9700

okay, i put in one neon, and he seems to be doing okay. tomorrow i'll try to get myself a new testing kit and then i will be all ready to go. thanks for the help. also, how long should i wait to put in my amano shrimp? he molts alot, but he's pretty hardy. should i wait until im 100%sure my tank is completely cycled, or just until the amonia and nitrite levels are roughly 0 and nitrate are less than 20

Shawnie

when you have ammonia, and nitrites at 0 with nitrates at 20 or below, you are cycled!

momo9700

like, i mean most of the time. like where the amonia is anywhere between 0-2 or sumthin like that.

Shawnie

ANY ammonia or nitrites is poisionous...

momo9700

just...nvm

Shawnie

Im sorry...I didnt mean to confuse ....I was trying to tell you that any ammonia or nitrite readings you get, could kill your fish....even the little amounts are deadly....its only safe when they are at 0 and nitrates are under 20 ..goodluck!

momo9700

It's only been one day and my fishtank water is looking cloudy-ish. I did a 10% water change this morning just in case, but does this mean the cycle is almost done?