dmm28

I'm going to be setting up a dwarf cichlid tank this weekend. I'm going to be stocking rusties and electric yellows or maybe saulosi's. Anyway,..... It's a 40 gallon and it came with an aqua clear 110 HOB filter. I have a 110 on my 75 that's already established and I'm wondering, If I use the bio media/sticks that are in the established one on the new one, is my tank instantly cycled?

I don't want to add fish right away if I still have to cycle, but it would seem to me that if I use the bio media and then have no bio load it may kill off the beneficial bacteria.

Lucy

You can use the established media to quick cycle a tank. I always added my fish right away and kept on eye on the parameters. After that, just take the rest of the stocking slow so the bacteria catches up.

CHoffman

I never add my fish right away. Instead I use ammonia to see if it is cycled..Most times it is not. But you are putting filter media in from a bigger tank, that I'm assuming is fully stocked so It will have lots of bacteria on it. Really it's what ever you feel comfortable doing. I don't see a problem adding fish right away other then having to test the water all the time and if things do get out of whack you'll be doing daily waterchanges. If you can live with that, adding the fish is the best route for you. I just don't like daily waterchanges..

dmm28

What I'm thinking of doing is using nutrafin (cycle) at the same time and add a few fish right away. I used nutrafin cycle on my other tank and have had no problems at all with it.

Fishlover423

Yes, that is what you should do, but wait 24 hours to let the bacteria flow in the tank and attach itself and then your tank is cycled, yes! LOL