Best Way To Transfer/seed Bacteria To My New Tank

I got a well-established 40 gal with tons of bio rings in a fluval 406 canister, and now I have everything I need to set up another tank, this time a 20gal one that will house a pair of golden rams and perhaps cardinal tetras.

How would you suggest me to effectively transfer bacteria from my established tank to this new one? I will be using an aquaclear 50 hang on back for the 20 gal, and I ordered lots of coarse sponge and fine filtration media, plus even more bio rings.

So far I've these options in the internet, among others:

• Grab media from old filter and place it in new filter
• Let new filter with new media run in established tank for a while
• Grab gravel and decorations from established tank and use them in new tank
• Grab media AND gravel of established tank and put both in new filter
• Grab new media and place inside established canister filter and let it soak up bacteria

How much media can I take out of the canister without severely weakening my bio filter? What's the easiest, most effective and fastest method according to you?

Thanks guys.

 

I'd say put some of the old media in with the new in your filter for the 20. The process should be pretty quick from there. Adding gravel and plants and decor from the old tank should speed the process up even more. I'd say to wait a couple of days (3-4 days or maybe a week if you wanna play it safe) until the bacteria gets settled and periodically add fish food to supply the bacteria with ammonia. Test the water with an API kit every day and once the parameters are stable, you'll be ready to add in fish slowly. Good luck!

 

I use Evolution Aqua Pure Aquarium balls, they are excellent and come in boxes of 25 and 50 or a single Pure Aquarium Bomb.

They are disolvable gel balls full of good bacteria, add 20 balls or the bomb at aquarium start up and then 5-10 balls after every water change

Used them since starting both of my aquariums, 20 gallon long x 2, and have had no issues with spiking or fish casualties due to poor water quality

Pure Aquarium

 

I use Evolution Aqua Pure Aquarium balls, they are excellent and come in boxes of 25 and 50 or a single Pure Aquarium Bomb.

They are disolvable gel balls full of good bacteria, add 20 balls or the bomb at aquarium start up and then 5-10 balls after every water change

Used them since starting both of my aquariums, 20 gallon long x 2, and have had no issues with spiking or fish casualties due to poor water quality

Pure Aquarium

Those look cool, never seen them before. They look better than bottled bacteria!

 

I have had no issues with them and tbh they have allowed me to introduce fish earlier than expected into both aquariums and no ill effects to the fish or water quality

I was sceptical initially as have always used Tetra or Fluval products but Pure Aquarium Balls have totally won me over and they are now a part of my regular aquarium maintenance and most importantly the fish are thriving. I have tried various types in the past but so far very impressed with the balls