Tank Upgrade Cycle Questions

Hi! I'm upgrading! What's the best way to seed something in my cycled 10 gallon to transfer to the new 38g? The issue is the lid on my 10 gallon is tight and can't accommodate a second HOB filter.

1. Can I just hang a bag of ceramic media or sponge/floss in the tank? Or must it be in the filter and have direct water flow?

2. Need I place a sponge filter in the tank? I know this is a good idea in general but curious if it's necessary, and room in my current 10 gallon is a concern.

3. How long until I can count on my media being adequately seeded for transfer?

Thank you!!

 

You can hang sponge and media in tank but I don't think it will instantly cycle your new tank. Why don't use 20% of old media in new filter after few days you should be cycled week maybe to be sure.

 

Just cut the sponge from the 10 gallon by a third and place it directly on top of the filter media in the 30g’s filter or place an extra sponge over the existing sponge in the 10’s filter for a couple of weeks before hand. Won’t instantly cycle a 30, but def get you started.

If you keep 2 sponges in each filter, you always have a spare bit for just such an emergency. That’s what I do(or I have 2 filters on larger tanks) Then just rinse in tank water n go

 

Are you going to keep the 10 gallon up and running or are you replacing it with the 38 gallon?

If you are replacing you can just move the cycle from the 10 gallon over to the 38. Just move everything over including water, fish, deco, substrate and filter. If you aren't going to use the same substrate bag some of it up in media bags and put them in the new tank. That way you will be saving the bacteria but it will be easy to remove later.
I always recommend moving the water. Not because it has bacteria in it but because it is the water your fish and bacteria are used to so less of a shock to them.

By doing this your fish and bacteria will just feel like they have had a big water change. As long as you don't add more fish right away your new bigger tank will be instantly cycled. If you plan on adding more fish wait at least a week and then just add a few at a time to allow the bacteria to catch up with the bigger bio-load.

 

Are you going to keep the 10 gallon up and running or are you replacing it with the 38 gallon?

If you are replacing you can just move the cycle from the 10 gallon over to the 38. Just move everything over including water, fish, deco, substrate and filter. If you aren't going to use the same substrate bag some of it up in media bags and put them in the new tank. That way you will be saving the bacteria but it will be easy to remove later.
I always recommend moving the water. Not because it has bacteria in it but because it is the water your fish and bacteria are used to so less of a shock to them.

By doing this your fish and bacteria will just feel like they have had a big water change. As long as you don't add more fish right away your new bigger tank will be instantly cycled. If you plan on adding more fish wait at least a week and then just add a few at a time to allow the bacteria to catch up with the bigger bio-load.

Thank you so much! I'm likely going to start anew in the new tank, I'm thinking about different substrate to better support plants. Interesting about the water, thanks!!

 

Thank you so much! I'm likely going to start anew in the new tank, I'm thinking about different substrate to better support plants. Interesting about the water, thanks!!

You are so very welcome Please let us know how it is going. We love happy endings.

 

Let us know and show us some pics! Have fun. Aquascaping a new tank is the best