On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 12:38:34 -0700, Andy Hill wrote:

ck2 wrote:
I've got a 10 gallon setup and trying to fishless cycle. It's not doing
anything tho....no nitrites after 1.5 weeks.

I've also got a well established 5 gallon running that I want to shut
down. I'll move everything over to the 10g. (Please, no comments about
how I should setup a 10g tank)

Instead of waiting for the 10g to cycle, can I just move everything over?
The filter is an AQ150. I can't move any of the substrate over since I've
moved to flourite in the new 10g (5g is sand/gravel).

Would moving the filter and as much water as possible over to the 10g be
enough to make an acceptably smooth transition for the fish? ie, would the
filter bacteria die/struggle/decline/whatever from doing this?

....I've even tried taking one of the sponges out of the AQ150 AND some
gravel in a stocking and putting it in the 10g to help the
cycling....still 0 nitrites after 1.5 weeks. Using Kroger brand
clear ammonia.

It should go OK just to move everything over...it's basically just a big water
change. I've done 70%-80% water changes before without disturbing my fish or
the cycle. Biggest thing to water out for is temperature spikes -- the water
temps in the new and old tank should be very similar (and, if they have to be
different, make the new tank a bit warmer).

OTOH, have you tested for ammonia or nitrates? It may be that the gravel /
sponge transplant seeded the new tank well enough that you never had a nitrite
spike.

There's still ammonia, even now. I spiked it up to about 5-6ppm and then
began testing for nitrites the next day. Although, I didn't seed the 10g
with the sponge/gravel until about 3 days into the process. I guess it's
possible, and no, I haven't tested for nitrates yet....didn't even think
to do that since I never saw a nitrite spike...but I'll do a quick test
just to be sure.

Chris