discusnoob Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Hi there everyone Just want to know the best way to cycle a new tank. I have new gravel, and I am going to use a few scoops of the old gravel in my cycled tank in a stocking to place in the new tank to kick off the cycle), plus I also will transfer a few ornaments, was even thinking of placing a couple of the hardy fish in after a week or so (subject to water tests to ensure its not gone mental) to speed up the cycle (including a few more plants and so forth, plus feeding the tank and doing weekly water changes for now). If all goes well, im guessing 4-6 weeks before the nitrogen cycle is complete and my levels are reading 0 I need the water perfect, any additional tips are welcome, reason being is I have discus fish and I know moving them into the new environment will be stressful and that is the only thing I want them to be stressed about, water quality and the fish cycle I need perfect to ensure a smooth transfer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thr33Swords Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 If you can, try and get some filter media from the established tank and put it in the new tank, that will be a huge help in speeding the process up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexyay Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Yep, I usually either cycle by using old filter media, or sticking a prawn/shrimp in there to rot & doing a 100% water change once it's cycled - I'm personally not a fan of fish-in cycling unless you're doing regular water changes to avoid any ammonia damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Awesome thank you for the reply I use a power filter currently, it has sponges, would it be a good suggestion to remove one of the sponges (there are 3) and replace a fresh one in there, and transfer that over to the filter I am using on the new tank? Its a new filter system, I plan when I come to do the transfer to place the power filter into the new tank also. I assume this isnt going to harm the water at all? I also find vacuumming the gravel every 2 days when I do my water changes a great way to kill two birds with one stone so to speak. The perils of keeping Discus... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 I will definitely be doing water changes on the new tank with the fish in (cycling the new tank with a few hardy fish). Im the obsessive type, and I think you sort of have to be to keep fish haha. At least a constant healthy tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 So are you setting up a new tank to transfer your existing stock into? IMO the best thing to do would be either run the new filter on the old tank until it is established, or transfer the old filters onto the new tank when you move the fish over and leave them running until the new filter is established. Putting old gravel in a stocking in the new tank will do very little (may transfer a few bacteria, not many though) and will do nothing if you don't provide an ammonia source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Yea i think ill transfer some filter media if i can and put in some raw shrimp and do water changes I cant put the new filter in with the old tank as the tank i have is an aqua one wet dry filter system that is built in. I plan on running both filters and both heaters in the one tank when the nitrogen cycle is complete and im happy with the water chemistry etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I always use as much water and substrate from the original tank as possible, and if I can't run the original filter in there I swap some of the media from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Heres a thought. If i transfer everything (water fikter gravel substrate and ornaments and plants into the new tank and run it to get it to the same temperature, in theory i will of tranfered all the good bacteria and the tank shouldnt need to be cycled... Anyone want to say yay or nay on this idea???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 In theory that should work but what will you do with the fish during the move? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Place them in moving bags and aerate the water... That way i can get the new tank up to temp and hopefully stable then ill aclimatise the fish etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Heres a thought. If i transfer everything (water fikter gravel substrate and ornaments and plants into the new tank and run it to get it to the same temperature, in theory i will of tranfered all the good bacteria and the tank shouldnt need to be cycled... Anyone want to say yay or nay on this idea???? this is what i do everytime add everything from the old tank to new and your away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discusnoob Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Awesome. Ill do it in the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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