Cycling Question????

[BubBleBee]

As of yesterday I set up a 12 gallon tank...soon to be home for my kiddies pea puffers. I've started the cycling process with snails in it however, am just wondering if I could use water from my established tank to speed up the process of beneficial bacteria build up Otherwise I plan on doing a water change this coming week and could use some of the media from the 304 into the new filter.

Just wondering if the water would be sufficient enough. Have google'd all day and couldn't get any useful info on using water from an established disease free tank into a newly set up tank opposed to using the filter media.

Happy New Years Eve to all and to all a New Year filled with lotsa luv, laughter and prosperous fish keeping.

[target]

The water will do nothing for the cycle. The bacteria is in the filter. If you can transfer media from an existing filter to the new one you will be able to cycle the tank.

[BubBleBee]

Kinda figured as much but thought I would put out there. Thanx Target

[target]

No worries. I used to keep all the water when I moved a tank or set up a new one. Much easier not to have to worry about it

[Tazzy_toon]

I'm no expert but i've heard that the substrate holds bacteria as well. You could use abit of that in a stocking to help the process if you can't use the filter media.

[BubBleBee]

I managed to get a water change done on my 46 today and from the 304 transferred a piece of sponge and water which i rinsed the sponges in, into the new tank. Did a Nitrate test and the reading is in-between 10-20. I use the API liquid testers....how soon can I start laying down the substrate, plants, deco and finally add the pea puffers. The only reason I didn't do this in the initial set up was because the tank was previously used as a QT for a clown....and was kinda worried that their may still be some residual copper in the tank....upon testing at J&L's the test came back as no copper in water....just to be on the safe side before I transfer the pea's I am going to pay them another visit so they could test my water for copper. Snails in the tank are doing great so I think the pea's should too.

[target]

If you have nothing in the new tank the bacteria will die. As long as your levels test correctly I would adds the fish right away. No need to wait if you used the filter media from a healthy tank.

[BubBleBee]

I have snails in there does that count for anything??

[hp10BII]

Dead or alive, the snails would count. If it's just 2 peas in the tank, you should be good to go.

[dsouthworth]

You'll need a source of ammonia. Remember the Nitrate cycle!
Nitrification bacteria turns the fish poop into Ammonia, then into nitrite, then into nitrate!
We remove nitrate via water changes.
Maybe read this article on Fishless cycling.
Fishless Cycling
There is a lot of information on that site. And if you have questions you could ask your questions here.
With your puffers, You should only need to add ammonia to levels around 1ppm. anything higher would be of no use to you!

Best of luck with your new setup! don't forget to post pictures when it's all done and pretty!