Kickstart the cycle on a new filter by priming?>

**stardotstar** · 09-23-2006, 09:24 AM

I have a slightly overloaded existing tank (60l or 15Gallon) from which I am going to split my juvenile cichlids into a brand new and much larger tank (423L or 112.5 Gallon).

I currently have an intank eheim filter with simple single sponge core. I have to do very regular water changes to keep the nitrites and nitrates down but I am still far enough ahead of the curve to get my new tank run in before things get critical.

I am aquiring my new tank early this week and will begin washing sand and getting the rest of the necessary equipment.

In the mean time I have a new 2340l/hr 4 media canister filter and I am thinking I could prime it by putting it on the smaller tank and his would not only improve the current quality of this tank but also kick off the cycle in the filter ready for adding it to the new tank once it is full and the substrate etc is ready. I will likely do a fishless cycle but I am reading and researching approaches to ensure that I can accomplish this transfer of my cichlids from the small tank to the new one within about 2 weeks.

I will have a complete set of test reagents available (sera) and am fami,liar with the process of cycling but wonder what the effect of priming the filter this way would be and if maybe one of the biggest problems would be the volume of the canister filter and flow rate is way too much for the small tank.

Thanks guys.
Will

**stardotstar** · 09-23-2006, 11:02 AM

OK here is what I have done:

Took the bio media out of the package and rinsed it thoroughly in tap water to get rid of most of the fine grain ceramic grit and dust.

Put it in a large chux and used a twistie to neck it off and keep it in a ball.

Then I put that in my tank w/c bucket and took 2 L of tank water then rinsed the intank filter core out in that and replaced it into the tank. Then I allowed the bio material to mix by agitating the mixture and then let it sit for a while then drained and put in the tank.

My therory is that buy rinsing the media in tank water and a dose of material from the existing filter enough material will get into the cores and surface area of the media to get things going now that it is sitting in the 60L tank.

Next step will be to leave it and do normal water changes in that tank ever 2nd day till the new tank is ready. Then begin a cycle on the new tank - maybe doing the same kind of thing again (using the core and water from my other goldfish tank) when I prime the filter in the new tank.

What do you think? sound OK. I have to keep the 60L running safely right thorughout because I am only taking the cichlids out of it for the big tank.

I will be happy to let you know my experience with this canister. Looks well designed from what I have seen - solid and large capacity.

Should I do anything of this kind to speed things along with any of the other media??

**kimmers318** · 09-23-2006, 12:12 PM

Sounds like you are on the right track for cloning your new tank. My understanding is you currently have filter media that will go in the new filter/new tank sitting in the small tank until you have the big tank ready to go. The filter media that is sitting in the small tank should start building the good bacterial cultures and be ready to jump start your new tank with no problems. I have done this with gravel from existing tanks and biowheels.

**turbomkt** · 09-23-2006, 01:24 PM

Running the new filter on the old tank will definitely get things started well. I'm not 100% on this because I'd be worried about how much flow this filter will create. What filter is it? Or maybe make sure I understand the flow rate better?

Some other things to try are like what *.* said. I would change it a little bit since you are planning to run the new filter on the old tank. I'd put gravel from the new tank in the chux (or nylon mesh bag or panty hose or whatever you use) and set that in the new tank.

You can also use mulm from the old tank to kick start the filter or the new tank. Couple ways to do this. One is to fill the filter with water from gravel vacuuming your tank. The other is to take gravel vac'd water (With all the brown stuff) and use that to fill the other tank.

With the filter, bagged gravel, and mulm you might be able to get away with no more than a mini-cycle.

How many fish will be in the new tank total?

--Mike

**stardotstar** · 09-23-2006, 02:11 PM

Great feedback guys.

Yeah I have the idea that the new filter will turn the small tank into a washing machine - it is a 2340l/hr pressurised Aqua One Aquis2400 - the filter volume is almost 1/3 of the small tank volume.

WRT turbomkt:

I'd put gravel from the new tank in the chux (or nylon mesh bag or panty hose or whatever you use) and set that in the new tank.

I am guessing you mean gravel from the "old" tank in the chux and set it in the new tank?

Can you more clearly define "mulm" - is that the squeezed detritus from the filter core?

The new tank will be 112 Gallon (60"x18"x24") sand substrate, unplanted, freshwater for four juvenile (less than 2") cichlids (acara, rivulatus, 2x oscars).

I am intending to keep the Os longterm. Perhaps a nice catfish and some sustainable tankmates. Once the other two cichlids get too big I will either move them to another tank or back to the shop.

I have done the basic capacity design on the basis of 2 Oscars requiring 55Gallons each and extremely good filtration and regular water changes of up to 50% - but with the Aquis2400 and a good routine I figure water changes of about 15-30% / week will do the trick with that tank and bioload.

What do you think?

**turbomkt** · 09-23-2006, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by stardotstar

I am guessing you mean gravel from the "old" tank in the chux and set it in the new tank?

That, too. I really meant that you'd take some gravel from the new tank and have it soaking in the old tank. Then, once the new tank is up and running, you can do the opposite as you've mentioned (old gravel in the new tank).

Originally Posted by stardotstar

Can you more clearly define "mulm" - is that the squeezed detritus from the filter core?

Yes. It's also all the stuff that collects in the gravel that you vacuum out during regular maintenance.

BTW, I didn't catch that you posted both the first and second posts. ;)

**stardotstar** · 09-23-2006, 09:44 PM

Thanks Mike, and yea I gathered that :)

Looks like I have the gist of it now and will do as advised.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-03-2006, 03:20 AM

I'm currently doing that right now. Have about 7 or 8 bags of used gravel in the new tank, old dirty filters replaced the new ones and I've transfered wood and decorations from the old tank to the new one. I cleaned my old tanks tonight and never thought to use that water, tho, but will do so the next cleaning.

I found some of those white filters (Aqua Tech) that I once bought and emptied the charcoal out of them and put used gravel in them. Worked great. I even have 4 crummy old dirty filters right in the tank hiding behind stuff.

I knew I'd be doing another cycling soon so have been putting used, ucky filters in a zip lock bag in my freezer for just this reason.

**kimmers318** · 10-03-2006, 12:47 PM

What a good idea...never thought to put used icky stuff in my freezer for future jumpstarting of another tank! I guess it would keep the bacteria suspended so you have it when needed....hmmm...let us know how everything goes because that is a definite thought for the future. (Still wanting more puffers!)

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-03-2006, 03:49 PM

(Still wanting more puffers!) Will it never end! :) My hope was to get rainbows for my larger tank but already know I won't have room for them by the time these 8 large gourami's, two angels and silver dollars are in there and the two balas'!!!

I really think the bala's will have to go! I don't think too many fish will be able to deal with all the swiftness and slamming around I'm afraid these bala's will do once large.