move filter from main tank to cycle?

redchigh

i have a new ten gal tank, and i was wondering if i can move my power filter from my main tank (and put a new one in its place) to speed up cycling in the new ones...

the main one has Java Moss, Java Fern, and an aponegeton.. im wondering if the plants will be able to absorb the inevitable spike in ammonia and nitrite...
i know
it would be risky, but would it kill my guppies in them aon tank?

LisaC144

Don't put a new filter on your already established tank. It can start a mini cycle on your already established tank. Instead, put the new filter on the new tank and "seed" the tank. This means taking the sponge out of your esxisting filter and squeezing it into your new tank until there's debri floating all around the new tank. Be sure the water in the new tank is treated with water conditioner first. The debri will clear up in a few hours and the beneficial bacteria will be introduced into your new tank. You will still have to monitor your water parameters as there MIGHT still be a mini cycle it has to go through, but it will greatly reduce the cycling process.

Angel079

As Lisa said taking your filter off will screw the existing tank UP! Just take 1 sponge out of the extisting one, wash it out in the new set up (called seeding) and put sponge back into your old filter. Run your new filter on your new tank with the "muck" that you have washed into the new tank, that'll be all you need right there.

Tyyrlym

Precisely, putting your existing filter on your new tank won't cycle the tank. It will mess up your existing tank though. Put your new filter on your old tank, run it for two or more weeks then put it on your new tank.

It's not your tank that's cycled, its the filter itself. The amount of nitrifying bacteria in the tank are dwarfed by the number in the filter.

LisaC144

That's exactly why Angel and I both said to "seed" it by shaking the sponge from his established tank into his new one. The beneficial bacteria is in the filter media and by shaking some gunk off into his new tank, the beneficial bacteria will be introduced. Angel has done this many, many times, as have I.

However, you CAN put your new filter on your established tank and run it along with your old filter (run both on the established tank), but this will be a longer process than simply seeding your new tank with media from your established tank. Hope this helps.

Tyyrlym

It'd be far more efficient to move a portion of your filter media to the new filter and just leave it in there.

Angel079

i done all my set ups (excl the 1st one) like described above and started stocking slowly, never had a single issue with it (as in no peaks, no losses nothing).