I recently bought a 55 gallon tank....I used about 7 gallons of water from an already established 12 gallon. Will this help my tank cycle faster?
2007-09-28 09:41:45 · 5 answers · asked by Serena01 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
No. The bacteria aren't in the water, they attach to the substrate and to the filter media.
You can change out the filter pad in the 12 gallon and put it inot the 55, or add some of the gravel from the smaller tank to a mesh bag in the larger one to "seed" the bacteria. Just using the water won't do it. You also need to add an ammonia source (1 drop of 100% ammonia per 2 gallons of water, or a pinch of fish food), otherwise there won't be anything for the bacteria to use as a "food" source, so instead of multiplying, they'll die.
If you aren't using fish to cycle the 55, turn up the heat to around 85o - the extra heat will allow them to multiply faster. Just keep good aeration on the tank.
2007-09-28 09:54:30 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with ^^^^ water doesn't carry much bacteria. Move some of you gravel and put in a cheese cloth so it doesn't mix with your new gravel, and that should help your cycle. Otherwise you can put your new filter on your old tank for a little while(a week) and let it run, before putting it on your new tank.
2007-09-28 16:52:28 · answer #2 · answered by Sparky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be better if you ran your old filter on the tank for a month or so and transfered your old gravel and decorations that is where most of the bacteria is not in the water.Moving the water won't do very much.
2007-09-28 16:49:35 · answer #3 · answered by Jackp1ne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it normally takes 5-6 weeks to cycle completely
2007-09-28 17:32:34 · answer #4 · answered by Brigit B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this wouldn't quite make it faster but maybe!
2007-09-28 16:57:29 · answer #5 · answered by Chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋