Another noob cycling question...

Momonakun

New member
I have an established 26 gallon sw reef tank. And would like to start up a 10g tank. Question is... I will probably buy the exact same filter I am using on my established tank, for my new 10g. Can swap my new filter onto my 26g, and put the old filter on the brand new tank (using live sand and rock)... Do skip a cycle all together... Or maybe just have a quick 24 hour fully cycled new tank.

Also, do I run the risk of forcing a partial cycle on my old tank? I have live sand and about 30pounds of lr in there.

Comments, suggestions. It took all the patients in the world for me to wait the three weeks to cycle the first tank, if I can do it quicker this time around, I will.

Thanks!
 
You could swap the filters and speed up the cycle, if you even have one, as well as add some live rock and sand to the new tank. So yeah, that's a good idea.
 
Could you take some of the dirty filter media out of the old filter and put half of it in the new filter? Then both filters would have the bacteria. If you put the entire new filter in your 26 then you run the risk of not having enough filtration until it cathes up. However, you only have 3 fish with established rock and sand so the new filter would probably re-seed pretty quickly.
 
Ive had tons of success do the same process you outlined. Only one issue. Upon moving your life rock and stirring up the sand you may put some junk in the water column. I learned to work very slowly in the tank. Using sand from your established tank may be beneficial as well. It never hurts to pick up a bottle of Bio -Spira. Pics?
 
What your saying makes sense but...if you completely remove the filter from your old tank along with some rock/sand you should put a big bag of carbon in the new filter. Not only will you stir up detritus, you will release nitrates and phosphates from under the rock. If you have a DSB do NOT disturb the anaerobic portion...that is a death sentence for your DT. BTW you have skimmers for both these tanks right? Just make sure you clean your old skimmer before this transfer to make sure it is at peak performance, to take care of the dissolved organics you will release. FWIWHTH...
 
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