Quick cycle for small tank with HOB

[jarrodaden]

I have two new 5 gallon tanks that I am trying to quick cycle.

I put the HOB's on my established tank and will let them run for a while to get the filters colonized.

Any input on how long to let these filters on the established tank before moving them to the new tank with conditioned water?

[CichlidFan]

I'm thinking your better off using sponge filters from an established tank, than trying to go with a HOB to seed your new tank....

My other thought would be to use water from one of your existing tanks to fill the 5's...

CF

[jarrodaden]

In a tank with an HOB, doesn't the colony live in the filter just like it would with a cannister?

Your idea to use established tank water is also a good idea.

[CichlidFan]

I'm no expert, but as I understand the beneficial bacteria lives in just about everything from the water itself as well as on filter media and even in hoses and other submerged pieces of deco.

CF

[PhishPhreek]

If you use tap water it has been treated to kill all the bugs so you have to wait for bugs to fall out of the sky or seed the tank with bugs from another source.(gravel, filter foam, filter pad from an existing tank, quick start bugs in a bottle)

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

the bugs live on surface area, thats why we put the bio-balls in a wet dry, on a canaster or hob if you replace the filter materal or clean it too good / let it dry out, you kill off the bugs and have to start over.

If you don't over crowd your tank or over feed your fish, you won't have a problem.

[jarrodaden]

I think that I did not make my original post clear.

I took the new filter that will go on the new tank (eventually) and I am letting that new filter run on my established tank. After the filter gets the bugs on it, I will move it to the new tank which will either have established tank water or conditioned water in it.

The question is how long does it take the bugs to populated the new filter which is running on the established tank?

[Mzungu]

I think it's a great question, and I have absolutely no idea!

I'd say leave it for a few days, at least. If it were me, I would probably let it run for a couple days and then check the media in the new filter(s) to see if there's anything visible growing there.

However. I think the responses you're getting are due to the fact that most of the time, people do it the other way around and use media from a filter that's been running for an indefinite period of time. That way there's no waiting period.

Either way, no matter how long you end up leaving the new filter(s) on the established tank, make sure you have a test kit to test for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate in the new tank(s), just to cover all bases.

[jarrodaden]

I would have done that, but my established tank has a cannister and the new tank has a tiny HOB with room only for a slim filter cartridge.

I have a test kit and will definitely check before stocking.

[Lawsman]

I don't know, probally depends on flow, temp,etc. I'd go a few days then supplement with Seachem's Stability or whatever bottled bacteria you can find.

[rage]

Cycle

I had done this a few times and to tell you the truth, it's not scientific.

You want the bacteria to migrate to your new filter in number high enough to to do the job in the new tank. What is enough and how long does it take? I don't know the exact number. I had tried 2, 3 days, it seemed to work sometimes, other times, I tested the water of the new tank and I had a bit of NH3 afterward.

I don't think the bacteria move on schedule. It also depends on how much you require for the new tank, ie. the bio load. You also need to take care that your new tank water had been treated with Seachem, Amquel to remove the chlorine and stuffs so as not to kill your newly seeded bacteria.

[algarciajr]

I'm thinking your better off using sponge filters from an established tank, than trying to go with a HOB to seed your new tank....

My other thought would be to use water from one of your existing tanks to fill the 5's...

CF

I have used both of these methods to quickly cycle tanks for me in the past with no problems.

[rage]

If he had a sponge filter, that would be nice. A sponge filter works a little better as it has more surface for the bacteria to cling to. Same principle applies though, it does take time and it's also unpredictable.

[jarrodaden]

My HOB has a tube intake which I covered with a sponge because I don't want fry (which will eventually be in the tank) to get sucked in.

Based upon my personal experience less than 48 hours was needed to populate the filter if I used water from an established tank.

Science project is up an running!

[Darbex]

The easiest way is to take the filter media from your current running tank and throw it in the HOB and you should be ready in one day. I have done this on a few occasions with no issues. You can also get bacteria in a bottle and wait like two days treating as recommended on the bottle. Seachem makes a good one.

[jarrodaden]

agreed but this HOB is so small that I could barely fit the filter cartridge in it.