SnaKiZe

What would be the ideal way to start off cycling?

I already have an established 10g and 55g tank... I was thinking of bringing over one of the filters from the 55g and some substrate but what else do i do after that?

Lucy

That's about all you have to do.
After moving the established filter into your new tank don't forget to feed the bacteria or it will starve.

Keep an eye on your water parameters, the new tank will be almost instantly cycled.

Ghostfish

I did just that with my 120 gallon tank. I brought my filter over to it along with the decorations. The substrate I left. I gave the bacteria a boost with some stress zyme to help out too. I brougth all my fish directly over and they did very well. I did have a slight mini-cycle that was fixed with one normal water change. It was helpful that I had the extra filtration in the 55. I believe it kept plenty of bacteria for a larger tank.

SnaKiZe

so just move over the substrate and filter? How would i keep feeding the bacteiria? Should i go out and buy some pure ammonia?

Lucy

You can use fish food or ammonia if you aren't adding fish right away.

Torez

use ammonia, im pretty sure it will work

SnaKiZe

Well, i've been searching and i cant seem to find any ammonia...
Would using Fish food or raw shrimp work better? I heard that once you're done using fish food you're gonna have a major algae bloom?

I'm going to use Prime and Stability by SeaChem as i've heard those chemicals work?
Should i use Stress Zyme along with them?

Lucy

I'm very skeptical of Stability and Stress Zyme. With your established filter, you shouldn't need any additives like that.

Just a pinch of fish food should be good. When are you getting fish?

SnaKiZe

I already have the fish in a 55g tank. It's a little crowded now so yes. Blood parrots and a tilapia and 2 plecos

Lucy

If you transfer your filter you should be ok to transfer the fish at the same time.
The ammonia from their waste will feed the bacteria.
Just keep an eye on your water parameters for a couple of weeks.

SnaKiZe

alrighty then thanks. as of now, i'm just trying to get a good deal on a 100g tank. People want 200+ for an empty tank!! :O