Could use help with 10g quarantine cycle

[LP2008]

Hello, I was the one that posted "cycled 38g in 19 days" and need help with fishless cycle of a 10g quarantine tank. I've started it with food but I may have screwed it up by using (only once) Clear Ammonia "with surfactants" but it does not foam at all. I was wondering if, since my 38g has finished it's cycle as of today, If I could remove my Penguin 200 from my 38g (still have a Penguin 350 on the 38g), over to my 10g Q tank after I do a 50% or so water change on the 10g using water from a water change on my newly cycled 38g? I would like to get some Tiger barbs for my 38g Friday after work and quarantine them for 3 - 4 weeks.
Here's what I have in 10g as of now-\
1 - UGF
1 - Tetra 60 (I think) air pump
1 - Penguin Power Sponge filter ( I may do reverse flow with it, but it's not set up that way now)
1 - Stealth 150 W heater
Substrate, couple of fake plants, fake tunnel log thingy, hood with light.
My water parameters for the 10g as of right now are:
PH - 7.6
Ammonia - 4.0
Nitrites - .25 (Used water from my 38g half way through cycle)
Nitrites - 10

If I do this, my tank should be instantly cycled right? My main concern is the "surfactants", I am running charcoal right now and will a 50% w/c be enough or should I do more just be safe?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

[fins_n_fur]

My opinion:

Keep the filter you want on the QT tank on the main tank until you are ready to get fish. I would wait a bit longer than a week on this, as I'd rather be cautious as you just cycled, unless you are prepared for daily monitoring of the Q/T parameters and doing water changes as needed (nearly a fish cycle). You want to be sure there is plenty of bacteria on that filter media before moving it over to another tank. The "main" tank was done via a fish cycle, correct? If you can't wait for more bacteria to build up on one of the main filters, then I would do a massive water change on the Q/T before putting fish in to get reduce your ammonia/nitrite leves.

Most of the bacteria lives in the filter material, then on substrate surface and decorations, not in the water column. The best place for the used tank water is either for your plants, or down the drain. It's not going to help cycle the Q/T faster.

I'd seriously consider dumping the UGF...old technology when today's canister and HOB filters are much better.

Not sure I get why you are using carbon on a cycling tank, unless it's to remove the surfactants from the ammonia.

[LP2008]

Yes, the 38g was cycled with fish and I am running the carbon on the quarantine for the surfactants, I figured it may help. You are probably right about leaving that filter on for another week or so to let the Nitrite bacteria catch up and become well established. Good thinking! Thanks

[fins_n_fur]

The longer you can wait, I think the better off you will be.

BTW, I'm very jealous about your tiger barbs...dying to get a tank full of those guys!

[LP2008]

Yeah, I don't have them yet, I was waiting for my Q/T tank to get up and running,didn't want to risk disease to my newly cycled 38g. I think they are beautiful fish though, but nippy from what I hear.
Here's an idea, while I am waiting anyway, what's the harm in taking off the sponge from my filter in th 10g,rinsing it in good tank water from my 38g that I'm about to change, and putting the sponge either in my 38g itself or close to the filter cartridge to help seed that in the meantime? Would that be a good idea?

[fins_n_fur]

They are nippy and fiesty, which is why I like them and only want to get a tank just for them and maybe some bottom dwellers. As long as you are getting enough for them to focus on their school and have no long finned fish, you should be okay.

I think a better idea is to take the filter material from the Q/T and put in as filter material on one of the other filters, if you can. If you can't then I personally wouldn't risk it. I'd wait for some other replies...someone smarter may come up with a better idea.

[LP2008]

Well, I have 2 HOB's on my 38g right now: 1 Penguin 350 and one 200. On my 10g I have the Penguin Powered Sponge Filter(basically a powerhead with sponge). Can I take the sponge off and put it in with one of my three cartridges,there's room for it although it's not made to fit there if you know what i mean. My whole thing is this, I bought the powered sponge filter for the q/t tank,but am not sure if I will keep in there at this time because I may not like it for that tank down the road and may keep the Penguin 200 on my 38g with the 350 permanantly, just too soon for me to tell just yet, however, I would REALLY like to keep the sponge seeded at all time no matter what in case i get another tank soon or whatever, you know?

[fins_n_fur]

Well, I have 2 HOB's on my 38g right now: 1 Penguin 350 and one 200. On my 10g I have the Penguin Powered Sponge Filter(basically a powerhead with sponge). Can I take the sponge off and put it in with one of my three cartridges,there's room for it although it's not made to fit there if you know what i mean. My whole thing is this, I bought the powered sponge filter for the q/t tank,but am not sure if I will keep in there at this time because I may not like it for that tank down the road and may keep the Penguin 200 on my 38g with the 350 permanantly, just too soon for me to tell just yet, however, I would REALLY like to keep the sponge seeded at all time no matter what in case i get another tank soon or whatever, you know?

I hear what you are saying. I'd be patient and get some other opinions...a few others will come on soon enough to get some other opinions and more than likely a better answer than mine. In this hobby, I'm finding that patience is indeed a virtue, and saves a LOT of headaches later. :hmm3grin2orange:

[LP2008]

Yeah, thanks for your help, 'tis appreciated!haha