hkirchen

I will be starting a 10g tank for a blue betta in the next month or so. I already have a 29g cycled tank that I will be using to seed the cycle.

I had an idea that I wanted to run by everyone to see if they have tried it or if you think it will work.

I have bright blue gravel in my 29g. The betta tank will have natural looking smooth river rock gravel.

Rather than mixing a little of the blue that might show through at some point, I wanted to get some nylon net, wrap up a handful of the river rock stone, and place the net in the corner of my 29g for (not sure how long?) Then I would take the netted stones out and put them in the betta tank after the remaining stones were placed.

Would this work? How long would I leave it in there to get seeded properly?

I have time, because it is for my son's birthday which is not until the middle of March. I will not need to start the setup until around the end of Feb. or March 1.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

Oh, and also, would it also be beneficial to put some filter media in, or is the gravel enough? I am not sure of the filter situation, because I am getting the tank from someone else, and I do not know which filter I will be using. If it is the same as one of the two I have, I could use an old one to seed as well.

Thanks

Amanda

The gravel will give some beneficial bacteria to the new tank, as will used filter media. It's often called an "instant cycle". But keep in mind, if there is no ammonia in the tank for the bacteria to feed off of, they will die.

CHoffman

Yup..I did this with all my tanks...Just cut the end off a old pair of pantyhose.(with no holes) or netting or whatever you want to use put the established gravel in the tank. I would leave it in there until your tank is cycled. The more established media the better. Also add aeration and turn the heater up to 83..All these things will help cycle your tank faster. Good luck.

Dozey

Since you have the time, you can net the gravel for the 10g and place it in the 29g. Knee-high stockings worked well for me. I would suggest that you can run both the 29 and 10 gallon filter in your 29g to establish it. Keep the gravel and filter in the 29 for at least 3 weeks.

Don’t transfer the filter or gravel to the 10g until you are ready to add fish. The media and gravel will have bacteria on them but I would suggest not adding more then 2 fish to start.