menagerie

I've been checking the forums, but I don't see where my specific thought on cycling a 75 gallon tank has been addressed.

I have a 30 gallon tank that has been cycled successfully. I don't think I can use the filter from the 30g to help cycle since the 75g has a canister filter. I took about a softball size of gravel out of it's tank to put into the new 75 gallon, but I was curious if I could use some of the water out of there to help the nitrates along. Also, I was planning on using my 2 Dalmatian mollies to help cycle. Are 2 fish enough to cycle the 75g?

Thanks!
Traci

atmmachine816

Welcome to Fishlore, if you look in the freshwater beginner section there is a sub-forum called aquarium nitrogen cycle I believe.

anywoo

Welcome to fishlore

You can take SOME of your filter media from your 30 gallon and put it in your cannister to jump start the cycle. I would advise against putting in fish as it's stressful to the fish. The cycle won't take that long and soon you will be under way. As for the water, it holds very little anything in it so there's no need to add that, the gravel helps, you can put some gravel in a panty or whatever girls wear on there legs, nylon sock or something, it's on a post here and stick it in your tank as the water will pass through it.

Hope all goes well

menagerie

Thanks! I got the pantyhose idea from the forums. Is a softball size ball enough, or should I add more? I was just curious to see if the water from the established tank would help or not. Do you think 2 mollies will create enough ammonia to help cycle the tank?

atmmachine816

You can add two if you want, patience is the key. No water will not help much at all. No the cycle would be stressful to the fish and you risk the chance of losing them and it's best to go fishless, you won't speed up the cycle that much.

menagerie

I figured as much, patience hasn't ever been my strong pont! Will 2 fish be enough to help cycle in a few weeks for a 75g?

atmmachine816

In a few weeks it will cycle itself with the added gravel. Have you added some filter media from you 30 to your 75 as it will help MORE than fish. No fish will not help that much and is not good for them, please do not add them as it is stressful to them with the ammonia and nitrites on the rise since that is what happens when it cycles. I know how it feels to have an empty tank, I'v had empty tank for almost 2 months but it feels good knowing your fish are safe when putting them in there from harmful chemicals.

menagerie

No, I haven't put the old filter in the new tank yet. It's my first time with a canister filter, so I'm not sure where I could put the additional media. I bought the Rena XP3, and have the Filstar Bio Chem Stars in the middle portion. Should I double up the top portion where I put the carbon in with the old filter?

Thanks again,
Traci

atmmachine816

I'm assuming your using a filter insert from your old tank, rip some of the fluffly stuff off and stick it wherever you can fit it in one of your baskets in your cannister, probably sponge or coarse media spot.

menagerie

Thanks! I'll give that a whirl and see how it goes.

atmmachine816

Glad to help, patience is the key.