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I just got a free 20 gallon long tank from a friend and I will be putting my baby convicts in there. Question, what is the best way to cycle the 20 gallon?

Right now in the 10 gallon tank, I am running a wet/dry trickle filter that was laying around doing nothing. It has a 350 gph pump, but I have the ball valve to turn down the flow. The tank is crystal clear! And the filter is seeded and cycled.

Question, can I just pour all of the water and fish into the 20 gallon and just add 10 more gallons of aged water. And will the fish be okay? Is it possible?

Thanks,
EC

You will be fine by adding the aged 10 gallons of water from the previous tank and adding another fresh 10 gallons. The existing 10 gallons will have the bacteria cultivating already. Your fish are already accustomed to the 10 gallon tank water. Just add an additional 10 gallons of fresh or RO water. (RO = reverse osmosis)Good luck

-S42K

S42K,

Thanks for your reply, awesome. My convicts also thank you!

EC

how long will it take to get the stink out of the water in my tank it;s a 135gal tank. i have 5 oscars in there and the ac500's are running the ammonia and the carbon in the tank. I have been using the cycle liquid in the tank and the water has been getting cloudy. but go's away is this normal

amadeus-it will depend on how far along your cycle is to figure out when the stinky water will subside. if you are running the ammonia removing rocks, your cycle will be inhibited because the ammonia to nitrite will never develop. they need some ammonia present to become established. the other thing that must be considered is filtration. if you have a 135 gallon tank, i don't think two or even three aqua clear 500's are enough to take care of 5 oscars. 5 oscars is an extremely high stocking level for a tank of that size. i recommend that you invest in a canister filter. they have extremely large areas for media and you can stack then full of biological and mechanical media. eheim's are the premium canisters, but are a bit pricey for some. however, they are worth the extra money. the fluval 404 is the next most popular option because it only about $90. i think if you invest in either of these canisters to supplement your ac500's, and remove the ammonia rocks, you will be well on your way to ridding your tank of the smell.