FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi.
Great site!
I've been poking around for a while now and have finally found the courage to show myself. I have a new 55gal that I'm getting ready to cycle. I will be doing a fishless cycle. The new filter for the 55gal is the same brand as the one that I use with my established 20gal, it's just bigger. They use the same type/size of filter media. I was wondering if I swapped the established biosponge part of my 20gal filter with a new one from the 55gal filter to help develop bacteria, will this cause my 20gal to crash? I was also going to use a small amount of gravel from the 20gal in the toe of a stocking as well. Is it better to just do one of those two things or will doing both help with the cycle. I want to move fish that have outgrown the 20gal into the 55gal, but I wasn't going to move them all. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Kat

- Meow -

Welcome to ...well not exactly the site if you've been hanging out for awhile, so welcome to the spotlight since that's what you'll be in now .

By swapping filter media and using some of the gravel what you're doing is "seeding" the new tank. Depending on the stock of the 20 gallon and exactly how much you switch over will determine if the tank goes into minicycle. An additional option is to run the filter for the new tank on the 20 gallon for 3 weeks (or as long as you can) to help establish the colonies on that filter first.

You mentioned that you'd eventually be moving some of the 20 gallon inhabitants from the smaller tank to the new tank. What are they? If they're hardier fish you can often move them to the new tank if you've got some of the bacteria moving with them.

However if you really are doing a fishless cycle (in other words adding ammonia) you shouldnt add any fish until after the cycle has completed. I vote instead of fishless to just use the established bacteria colonies you already have to your advantage .

^_^

Thanks for the reply Babelfish.

I think that my 20gal is overstocked. I will be moving my angelfish and my bala shark into the 55gal. I guess that they must be pretty hardy because they have managed to survive being my first fish in my first tank . Three serpae tetras and an emerald cory are staying in the 20gal. I need to get the cory some friends, its mate passed away a few months ago and its lonely . I haven't wanted to add any more fish lately because the bala and angel have gotten so big. I have had a hard time keeping the water quality under control.

I decided not to do the fishless cycle after all. I added 4 bunches of gravel from the 20gal, swapped the filter media and added some Cycle to both tanks. Everything seems fine so far. How long should I wait before adding my fish? I want to be extra careful. I really love these fish!

- Meow -

If you have already put the old gravel in the 55g and the old filter media in, then you need to put the fish in right away. Adding the bacteria, but no food source will cause them to die and it will be worthless for starting the new cycle. So go ahead and add those fish.

I hope you know balas get pretty big and like to school so you may want to get yours a couple friends.

I also don't think a 55g will be big enough, when its full grown (about 14 inches).

I'm glad you are moving your angel from the 20g (and the bala too). They will be much happier in the 55g. Good luck!

Have you thought about what else you will add to the 55g?

*Kristin*

The problem with adding the fish right now is that the temp in the 55gal is higher than the 20gal. Like four degrees higher. I made an adjustment, but haven't seen a change yet. How long do I have before the bacteria start to die? I only set everything up yesterday.

I didn't know how big balas got when I bought him a few years ago. I had no idea what I was doing back then. I just fell in love with the bala sharks and wanted one.

I know better now and will get a larger tank to put him in when he out grows this one. The 55gal was the biggest that I could get right now and these fish need to move soon.

I have considered getting him two buddies. I think that he would be much happier if I did. Do you think that they could could live in the 55gal for about a year? I won't be able to do a larger setup before then. If I did get two other balas and had the angel, I'm not sure what else I could put in there with them. Any ideas are welcome.

- Meow -