I am upgrading to a 55 gallon and I am wondering how I should go about cycling the new tank. I know adding filter media, plants, rock and gravel from my old tank will speed up the process. My question is how much gravel and filter media can I use without ruining the water parameters of my old tank since my fish will still have to live there while the new tank is getting setup. Also, how long should I expect the cycle to be after adding these materials from my old tank. Thank you for your help.
are u replacing the 20? move the fish and just run both filters on the big tank even if you have to run one on the front. give it 4 to six weeks, then you can take the small filter off. Wait a few more weeks and then you can slowly add more fish.
In general, no. If its been a long time since the last water change, you might want to slowly acclimate to new water. But I would just fill up the new tank and run the new filter on it at least overnight until the temp. is where it should be. Then move fish and old filter. You might want to put fish in bucket and slowly add new tank water. But if the water is close in temp. pH, etc. you can just net them and put them in. No reason not to start with 0 nitrate.
I would move everything except the old water over. Drip acclimate the fish to the clean water. If you do all of your setup on the same day, you shouldn't have to worry about making sure the old tank's bio filter. Just move everything into the new tank and you will be good.
Upgrading from 25 to 55 (cycling question)
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