Second Filter On Main Tank

I was thinking of running a really small, second filter on my main tank so I can transfer the media over to my QT tank to "seed" it ready for new fish. I was wondering if I do this will my main tank enter into a minI cycle when I removed the sponges?

 

I was thinking of running a really small, second filter on my main tank so I can transfer the media over to my QT tank to "seed" it ready for new fish. I was wondering if I do this will my main tank enter into a minI cycle when I removed the sponges?

I have done exactly what you are planning to and did not experience a minI cycle. Just test periodically to ensure you don't get any spikes and dose something like stability to help your main filter catch up.

 

You won;t get a minI cycle if the first cycled filter is still running

 

When I need to use a quarantine or fry growout tank, I just use a seeded sponge filter from my main tank and install it in the qt or fry growout tank. Just make sure you have enough filtration for your main tank after you remove that minI filter for your other tank.

 

So I could add a second, smaller filter to my main tank and keep it running on there without it causing a minI spike when I remove it then, great! Thanks for the advice all (again) haha, I just went through a minI spike and it was fine but very annoying. Another query - sorry! When I put the second filter (cycled) media sponge into the QT filter, the amount will probably not be enough to support the fish I was planning to put in so, would I need to get something like prime and do daily PW changes until the BB caught up again?

 

So I could add a second, smaller filter to my main tank and keep it running on there without it causing a minI spike when I remove it then, great! Thanks for the advice all (again) haha, I just went through a minI spike and it was fine but very annoying. Another query - sorry! When I put the second filter (cycled) media sponge into the QT filter, the amount will probably not be enough to support the fish I was planning to put in so, would I need to get something like prime and do daily PW changes until the BB caught up again?

That sounds about right to me but I honestly haven't experienced a hiccup in parameters by moving a cycled sponge filter into a QT as long as there are fish (or ammonia source) to feed the BB and as long as the sponge has had enough time to seed. I usually seed media at least a month. Just rely on your test kit readings and play it by ear; if you see a spike then Prime, Stability and PWCs for a few days should do the trick.

 

Brilliant, thanks for the advice. I am learning a lot right now including fishless cycling so fingers crossed that also goes well haha

 

Don't hesitate to ask if any more questions pop up, its a LOT to take in at once if you're new.

 

Don't hesitate to ask if any more questions pop up, its a LOT to take in at once if you're new.

Thanks, I was lucky with my first tank as I accidentally (and incorrectly) cycled it, I don't want to do it that way again due to bad information so this attempt at a fishless cycle will hopefully serve me well with my QT tank which I have also picked up recently, wish me luck with it all haha