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Hi,

I'm getting a new 50L tank this weekend. For the past week I've been running the AquaClear Mini filter that I will use for it on my 120L tank (which also has an Eheim canister filter), in hopes that it will build up enough bacteria to cycle the new tank quickly. I only put the sponge and the bio substrates in the AquaClear (no carbon).

My question is, can/should I do fishless cycling (add drops of ammonia daily, monitor, etc.) on the new tank with the seeded filter, or is it unnecessary b/c of the seeded filter? I did fishless cycling on my 120L tank and it went well. But that tank was not seeded at all, for the new tank I'm also planning to add some gravel and plastic plants from my current tank (in addition to the filter). I'd rather not add any fish until I know the new tank is fully cycled. But what's the best way to "feed" the bacteria in the new tank?

Thanks for any advice!

-P

yes....do so..coz the ammonia will trigger the growth of bacteria...even if its seeded....if theres no source of food...they will all die.

Try it and you'll find out.

Once you've put your Aqual Clear and your gravel and stuff into your new tank, instead of adding fish just add the smallest bit of pure clear ammonia every day for a few days.

If the ammonia goes away and you don't test nitrites but the nitrates start going up then you're ready for fish.

If you get high ammonia or nitrite readings, you know you should keep cycling until you don't.

I would bet that even if you need to cycle still your cycle will go more quickly in a well-seeded tank. Good Luck!

Thanks! I will try with a drop or two of ammonia and see what happens. Will be awesome if I can get it to cycle quickly; I never had any tank finish cycling in less than a month.

-P