Someone gave me their 55 gallon tank the other day. I want to put my large gf in it as soon as possible since he is really cramped. He is in a 10 gallon w/ 2 algae eatters. I also want to put my betta in it. What is the quickest, and best way to cycle my new tank? What will I need? I have never had a tank even close to this size, and am pretty unexperienced anyway. Any help would be great!

Ruffledmumkin

I have a couple questions.........
Are you planning on leaving the 10 gal up and running for another fish?
If not, then use all of the water and the gravel. If you are changing gravel, then put some in a nylon stocking and sit it in the corner of the new tank. It will help with the good bacteria.
Also using any filter media from the 10 gal will help.

If you are wanting to cycle without a fish, YOu will have to look around for the best method I have not done that before.

I do know that the larger tanks are easier to cycle.
Also why are you wanting to put the betta in with the gf? Bettas and gf don't mix well. Bettas require a warmer temp than gf, and some gf can get over zealous while in search for food and accidently nibble on those long flowing fins of the betta.

Good luck

Congratulations on the tank windfall. That is super!

I would suggest that you transfer your goldfish and algae eaters into the 55 gallon tank. Start the tank up with the filter(s) you intend to use. Then hang the filter you had on the 10 gallon tank on the 55 and run it too. Transfer all the media, gravel (in stockings as suggested) and ornaments, etc. from the ten as well. Keep a close eye on the 55, but if the 10 was cycled and working for the goldie and plecos, then the 55 should be able to get up to speed in a short time.

Meanwhile, leave your betta whereever he is at the moment and do nothing with him. When the 55 is reliably cycled, you can transfer that filter that goes to the 10 gallon back to it, and set the 10 going again. You can put the bags of gravel back, ornaments and everything. Your 10 gallon will still be completely cycled. You can then place your betta in the 10 - into a healthy environment.

The betta will really not do too well with the goldie - not a good combo at all, but a 10 gallon tank is a splendid home for a betta, or you could put in a divider and get another betta as a compliment to the first.

Thanks for the help. I have a few more questions. I do not have any gravel in the 10 gallon, but I do have a filter and a little cave. I plan on adding another filter or 2 to the 55 gallon, and some gravel. Will the 55 cycle as fast since I don't have any gravel to transfer to it. Should I squeeze my filter sponge out into the 55 gallon water, or just let it run in the 55 gallon? How long would I run the old filter? The guy at the lfs gave me a bottle of bacteria, should I add this, and when? Would it be a bad idea to ask for some old gravel at the lfs? Do I need to add salt, if so how much? Is there a certain temp I should keep the tank at for cycling? How often should I check the water, and do changes while it is cycling?

The old 10 gallon will be put in storage when I get the gf out of it. I don't have room to have it set up also.

Thanks for the info on the Betta. I'll keep him in his 1 gallon tank. He seems really happy, and healthy in there anyways.

Ruffledmumkin

Wow, nice windfall!

I was going to add, get some cycle but the guy gave you some bacteria then. Generally there's some kind of directions on the bottle for dosage.

I have a 55 gl myself. Just started up two new (emporer 400's) bio- filters for it and all. Yes, you can use your sponge, and squeeze it out, or drop it in the filter you will be useing.

yes, add some salt for the nitrite spike phase. Ammo lock, or prime etc......

While it's cycling, check (test) it every other day, 20% to 25% water change weekly. With a jump start, it should help it cycle in faster, otherwise the norm is 6-8 weeks cycling in. I personally like a 1/3 rd water change every two weeks after its running and cycled in.

My tank runs and maintains around 73* without a heater though, so I don't mess with a heater in that one, I generally try to keep the tanks with heaters about the same. 70-73*


The ten gallon will make a nice sick tank though should you need to isolate & treat a fish or do a QT!

Thanks for the info!
How much salt do you add to a 55 gallon?


Ruffledmumkin

Well, a salt test kit is very helpful here. The rule of thumb is generally 1 tsp. per gallon. One time will be 0.1% , add it in gradually. FYI: If you needed to treat a ill fish, then you would gradually bring that up to 0.3% over three day's. Depending on what is diagnosed. Some medications do not work with salt or combined with salt will burn.

I've done well with only a 0.06% for just general purposes. However, while cycling my filters I used the 0.1% . Salt is removed with water changes, so when you water change, IE: if you remove 2 gl's, treat only the new 2 gl's you replace.

Plants & snails should alway's be factored in as well. If you have live plants, then you need be carefull of them, again, if you have to treat a sick fish and raise salt up, remove plants & snails or put the fish in a a QT for treatment so you don't inadvertantly kill the plants or snails! Some plants are more tolerant then others are for salt content.

You also have some water displacement with gravel,plants & ornamanents.

With you old sponge, stick it in with your new filter, setup your new filter up, if it has several sponges, wedge it between them. As stated above because your doing a cycle with fish in, you will have to monitor conditions closely to make sure there fine, as toxins can spike in a day, so its a case of keep on top with the monitoring and water changes. I myself used salt to help in case of a nitrite spike, also I believe it helps the fish go through the cycle.
When are you adding the gravel, because it should be done at setup, generally it releases a lot of sediment.

I plan on adding the water from the ten gallon, does that make a difference? I hope to set the tank up in a couple of days. I will go get a salt test kit tomorrow. Should I put the new water in the 55 first and then the old water from the 10, or should I reverse that? I don't have any live plants, they were too much work. I have all fake ones. The only thing I have to worry about in my tank is the fish. They so far seem to be really tough.
Declan,
were you asking about new or old gravel? I don't have any old gravel, but I plan on putting the new gravel in while I'm setting everything up. Is that ok? I will wash it off before putting it in the tank.

Anyother helpful info would be great!

Thanks

Ruffledmumkin

P.S. What does Windfall mean?

LOL Ruff! Windfall, in this case, is being used as a expression, like striking it rich or you hit the jackpot! My kids would be more apt to say something like Awesome...

Since your going to add the water from the ten, I'd do it so the new water mixes well as you add it in and just put it in first. Give floaty stuff time to settle in new gravel. Mix in the de-chlor, and bio bugs as well. It will get everything mixed up well.

Do rinse the gravel well, there tends to be a lot of fine stuff in it also that can be rinsed out.

The only thing about plastic plants is they tend to fade out over time and some I had got brittle, so I finally got rid of them and went to a planted tank. Now its going to get apple snails to boot. I just put a whole new canopy & light set on with those new filters just for the plants!

With the gravel i would personally add it before your adding the water, it would be easier on the fish but its your call, or perhaps use a different media, like beads, pebbles, marbles etc, at least they wont cause problems adding them after. If you do add gravel during the cycle, do it slowly and in small amounts, each time allowing the sediment to settle, trying not to disturb the previous gravel added. You can get gravel that is treated (slightly gloss finish) that doesn't cloud the water so much but its expensive. Its up to you.