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	established gravel DOESN'T help with cycle?
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	I read somewhere in here that getting some established gravel for a new tank cycle is only helpful if you have an under-gravel filter. Is this true? I've been growing some extra gravel for over a month in my 10 gal to help seed my new 60. Any tips? -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
jake Fish Addict Posts: 594 Kudos: 875 Votes: 2 Registered: 21-Mar-2004	Anything in an established tank is going to have some amount of beneficial bacteria on it, whether it be a decoration, the wall of the tank itself, a plastic plant, etc. Same holds true for the gravel. However, the most concentrated amount of bacteria is in your filter, if it is a healthy filter. The best way to help cycle a new tank is to add some of the media ( preferably bio media) from an established tank's filter to the filter of the new tank. That is the most effective way that I know of as far as "seeding" a new tank with an existing tank goes.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	I also have been told that the good bacteria will not live long at the lower temp and as every thing dries out. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	A month will be long enough to help with it, but the ammount you can take from the 10 to put in the 60 won't likely be all that much help as far as cycling goes. Like Jake said getting the filter for the 60 running on the 10 and running it for a few weeks will be the most help. ...only helpful if you have an under-gravel filter. Not true, it helps with any filter. UGF's use the only the gravel as the biofilter, a HOB or cannister filter use additional media for allowing the biofilter to grow. HTH a bit . ^_^ [/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	I will certainly add some of the media from the 10gal to the 60gal as well. I can't run the 60gal filter on the 10, as the filter is built into the hood. I guess I was thinking all this extra gravel (much more than looks good in a 10 gal) would really help out, as what I usually here is, "get a handful of established gravel..." and I have MUCH more than a handfull. I guess it helps as much as it helps. -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Gomer Ultimate Fish Guru Small Fry with BBQ Sauce Posts: 3602 Kudos: 1709 Votes: 106 Registered: 29-Mar-2002	I read somewhere in here that getting some established gravel for a new tank cycle is only helpful if you have an under-gravel filter. Is this true? True, but somewhat misleading. If the gravel is not disturbed too much during the transfer there should not be a problem. It does not have anything to do with the filter. Well if the tank it is coming from uses an undergravel filter there may be more beneficial bacteria per volume of gravel, but who cares. It will still speed up the cycle nevertheless. -- Gomer
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Doedogg Banned Posts: 408 Kudos: 737 Votes: 445 Registered: 28-Jan-2004	I just got done cycling my 55 with the filter pad from my 29 and NIC. I never saw ammonia or nitrites (unless they came and went in a day or 2) It only took about 2 weeks. Steph I used to be Snow White, but I drifted. ~ Mae West
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23


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