fishless cycling...?

Question

Im moving all my fish to a larger tank and wanted to know what the best way of doing this is, as ive heard alot of different theorys.
Im probably going to be using my filter sponge from my old tank, aswell as my gravel, plants, ornaments ect.... do u still need to cycle the new tank if i use all my old media and filter sponge?
if i do... what is the safest way to do this, im not bothered by how long it takes i just want to keep all my fish safe and healthy.
would adding ammonia be the best way of doing this? ive read that you shouldnt use soapy ammonia... the one i got from the shops doesnt look soapy or misty at all, but it dosnt have any ingredients on the lable, its just reads "kleen off ammonia, mulit-purpose household cleaner"...have i got the right stuff?
If i was to cycle using this method, on completion of it, how much water do you need to change before adding fish?
thank you for any help you can give me.

Answer 1

As long as all the material for the tank stays wet and isn't without flowing water for more than a day just ue the old materials and you will be fine. The bacteria in the filter and gravel do need oxygen to live so too long in still water willkill it off.

MM

Answer 2

Yes, you will still need to cycle because it's the water that needs to be cycled, but it should go faster because you have some established bacteria. But then, the more of the old water you can get in the new tank the better. In fact, if the old water makes up about 50% or more of the new tank, and if you don't rinse anything in "clean" water and if you move the filter, decorations, gravel, plants, etc. as is, you probably won't even need to cycle at all! Fishless cycling is faster and does use ammonia, but you can't do this if you are going to put the fish in the new tank during the cycling period. If you can leave them in the old tank, that would be best. No soap or fragrances or any other additives should be in the ammonia. Jeye's Kleen Off Ammonia is perfect. It is promoted for use especially for aquariums. The first link is for a fishless cycle. The second link is the ammonia.

Answer 3

I concur with Ghapy; however, there would be less stress on your fish, which type you didn't mention, if you could use some of your old water. Contrary to popular belief, water does age, and while it will not harm your fish to start with new, treated water, the fish will be more comfortable if you use some of your existing water. Depending on the type species, the move alone could cause some stress, I recommend that you keep your new tank dark with little traffic for 24 hours. Don't be tempted to rinse anything with tap water before putting into your new tank.

Also, if you have a thick gravel bed us caution when moving rocks or large decorations, the bacteria that's trapped under these decorations can be deadly if released into the water. Use a gravel vac if you are planning to use your existing gravel.

Answer 4

All you need to do is run the old filter on the new tank, just as you said. Fill the new tank up, run it over night to aerate it and heat it up. Then move the old filter and gravel to the tank at the same time as all the fish. Same fish, same bio-load, same bacteria. Your tank will remain cycled and continue without problems. To re-cycle the tank on an upgrade is pointless. I've done it this way many times.

You don't need to use the old water, bacteria resides in the filter and gravel you are moving over, it does not swim freely. While others might say you need old water or it will shock the fish, think about the last time you brought home gallons of water from the pet store with any new fish you've bought. You don't, yet the transition doesn't kill them. On an upgrade I've always taken advantage of the opportunity to start with fresh water. If you don't feel comfortable with this, use the old water, no big deal.

Then, of course you will want to start stocking up the tank gradually in order not to cause any ammonia spikes.

Answer 5

Depending on how much larger the tank is, it should help significantly to use all the old stuff in the new tank. Just fill the new tank and use dechlor before making a quick transfer so that you don't lose much bacteria. Look carefully on the ammonia bottle to make sure there are no sufracants.

Answer 6

wat some betta in a a hundred gallon tank will I truthfully have 2 cycle that edit: a single betta in a hundred gallons of water wit a filter out ideal 4 the tank wit weekly 20% water ameliorations and no u does no longer have 2 cycle it edit: im no longer been humorous im putting forward reality edit: no im no longer doing it as identity locate it a waste of money, whether that's attainable so dont be rubbishing reality edit: thats actual that folk dont care (yet some do) yet thats irrelevant via fact it is not considerable wat u think of edit: unpractical whether it would paintings and confident there will be micro organism and that exhibits that a cycle wit fish can b completed confident i comprehend its a loopy theory and im no longer posting 2 argue im basically including greater info edit: it does not make sense? its a reality and it does not have 2prove something 2 definitely all and sundry , it is not considerable wat definitely all and sundry thinks as every1 thinks diverse, wat concerns is that u can save fish witout biking the tank and it does not could be as huge as a hundred gallons i'd reckon a 30-50 gallon would paintings edit: i additionally a hundred% have self belief in a fishless cycle i think of each beginner could start up off this style and that i constantly state so in my solutions yet u mentioned if definitely all and sundry has something to function please do and that i extra that if a tank is massive adequate u does no longer have 2 cycle it and u agree wit it yet have self belief no longer many human beings would try this i additionally agree wit u on that yet cant hide from the actuality that it may and is finished and completed wit large consequence in a secure and humane way edit: jasax im incredibly no longer arguing im putting throughout the time of a factor that grew to become into skipped over and every1 is getting dissatisfied approximately it, why? i dont comprehend. and if u study my post i additionally mentioned 30-50 gallons would be adequate i in trouble-free terms mentioned a hundred gallons via fact thats the dimensions of my tank and thats the 1st 2spring 2mind edit: jasax tanx guy, i dont comprehend each thing yet i think of my answer knowledgeable human beings in trouble-free terms a sprint i in no way argued a fishless cycle, its the final and in trouble-free terms way 4 a beginner, yet no longer the only way if u comprehend wat ur doing

Answer 7

try going to a pet store and asking them. and no it doesn't sound like you have the right stuff if it is a household cleaner. you could end up killing your fish. you need special animal cleaning supplies. Petsmart is a great place to go get help.