Quick Cycle
 

I have several questions, but I'll try to break them up into a couple of
posts.
Side bar first: I was really excited about cycling my 'new' 15 gal tank in 3
days. I have read the suggestions of using filter mats and substrate from
other tanks. I actually cycled my 29 gal by using some Fritz zyme and
moving a filter mat from one running Penguin 330 to a new one. That tank
also cycled very quickly although I was never too sure how much the Fritz
Zyme helped. Several have suggested it was probably the mat mostly. Long
story short I am sure now that the Fritz Zyme did little. So this tank came
with a little Aqua Clear and I was changing the color of my substrate so I
almost just bit the bullet and started the month long wait. But then I
decided to just throw another used mat into the tank along with a couple of
pieces of 'used' filter floss which I put in the back baskets of the 330's.
Viola - 3 days later the slight ammonia that I started with was gone. I
added 3 small Lemon Tetras - 3 days later still no measurable Am or Nitrites
but some color change on Nitrates. I know I don't have just a huge colony of
bio bugs, but I think I am good to go for starters anyway.
Question 1- I was planning at about 4 day intervals removing a piece of
floss (x2), then the filter mat frame, then the used filter mat and watching
to make sure I don't spike if I am indeed removing a large amount of
biobugs. Does this time table sound okay?
Thus far I have only used Penguin filters using standard or aftermarket
filter mats with charcoal and some white filter floss in the baskets.
Working pretty well, although my nitrates are a little high (near 40) in my
Fancy GF tank. As mentioned I was given this tank with a little Aqua Clear
Mini (100 gph). In the little media side I put a course white sponge
(supplied), then a little bag of zeolite, and some white filter floss on
top.
2)Any comments on better media and/or order?
3)I put the Zeolite in thinking it might remove a little extra ammonia on
my initial cycle. I know it will quit 'working' after a while. Can I just
leave it there as bio media after that. It is just a little bag maybe a
little over 1' wide and 1" tall tops. If I am supposed replace it with those
little chalky bio media rings/balls will there be enough bacterial growth in
there to significantly affect my cycle balance?
4)Will I miss the charcoal? and should I use the little black course
'sponge' or put a little bag of activated charcoal in.
Thanxx
Bill Brister