Cycling my first big tank

Hi, everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster.

So, I got into the hobby a year ago, and gleaned most of my information from lurking in forums like these. I successfully cycled my 10 gallon planted tank, and I've had great success with my guppies, my otoscinclus, snails, and shrimp in my 10 gallon. I've even got a sparking gourami in there that I've inherited. Cute as a button. XP

Anyway, I've convinced my mom that being an aquarist is great fun, and I know she's been scheming to buy me a bigger tank for my birthday. It's going to be a 29 to 38 gallon planted tank, depending on if we can find an appropriate stand, and I'm interested in doing a fishless cycle for it.

I'm going to be picking up an Aquaclear 50 gallon HOB filter pretty soon, along with another bubbler and heater before long so I can get things started, but I've got a few questions about my first big tank.

I know that I can speed up the process by adding gravel from my 10 gallon, or filter media from my established tank, but I'm leery of cycling with pure ammonia, or tetra safe start. I've used that product in the past, and it killed my betta.

I was planning on starting the cycle with some cheap fish flakes that came with my original tank set up, but I'd like to know how much to use for either a 29 or 38 gallon tank. Do I just kinda leave it in there, or vacuum it out as the ammonia spikes? Do I do any water changes at all? When should I start testing my water after adding the flakes? How often do I test it? Could I further speed up the process by adding old tank water to the new tank?

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I plan to move my guppies and gourami into the bigger tank when all's said and done, and keep my 10 gallon as a betta tank. These guys have been with my from the first, and I'm rather attached to Tyrion.

Yes, he's the gourami, and I'd hate to lose him.

I'll probably be posting more questions as they come up, but if someone can give me a hand, and maybe write out some step-by-step instructions for dummies, I really would appreciate it. I want to make this bigger tank a little Shangri-La for my fish, and any help really would put my mind at ease.

Thanks so much. betta 2

 

Welcome to Fishlore.

You could always move part of you filter media from your 10 gal to speed up the process or run your new filter for a time in your 10 gal.

I never heard of anyone cycling by adding fish flakes so someone else will need to comment on that.

 

Welcome to fishlore!
Cycling with fish flakes is very messy and not very effective. I wouldn't do it.
What are you going to do with the oto?

 

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/four-methods-of-fish-less-cycling.48446/

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/ammonia-instructions-for-a-fishless-cycle.19627/

These threads should have all the answers you are looking for. If you have more questions, come on back and ask them.

 

Welcome to fishlore!
Cycling with fish flakes is very messy and not very effective. I wouldn't do it.
What are you going to do with the oto?

The otos are going to go into the big tank, once I've got it properly cycled. I guess since fish flakes aren't going to work, I'm going with shrimp. Good thing I went shopping earlier.

 

Shrimp is also an outdated method. Using ammonia is a lot easier.
Shrimp is just as ineffective as flakes.

 

If you're only moving the current fish into the new tank then just put the cycled media from the 10 gallon into the new filter, it already has enough beneficial bacteria to process the bioload of those fish, when you add new fish do it slowly to allow the BB to catch up with the new bioload.

 

You can use Seachem Stability in small doses when you do add new fish to expedite the bacteria multiplying process.