cycling question

[karlb123]

I have a tetratec ex2400 filter that I am running on my small tank that has YBS turt and 4 fish, if I buy a bigger tank can I just fill it with water and plumb up my tetratec ex2400 and then add fish etc? or do I have to re-cycle or cycle again?

[quailpower]

you will have to cycle again, but by adding your filter with bacteria on it, it will take less time to cycle.

make sure you de-chlorinate before you add your filter however, otherwise the chlorine will kill all the bacteria. It would also help if you poured some of the exsisting water from your tank into the new one

[Love_snakes]

It really depends. Water holds very little good bacteria, so if the filter is big enough for the new tank and you keep some water, it shouldn't cycle again. It would be like a massive waterchange. Make sure the water is the right temp though

[AshMashMash]

Originally Posted by Love_snakes

It really depends. Water holds very little good bacteria, so if the filter is big enough for the new tank and you keep some water, it shouldn't cycle again. It would be like a massive waterchange. Make sure the water is the right temp though

Aye, I agree. If you dont increase the amount of fish, it's like a big water change, as long as both filters run, and the water is properly dechlorinated etc etc. The levels might do a bit of a small wobbly, but nothing major

[Trillian]

If you're careful with testing the water, the filter bacteria should soon multiply to accommodate the additional bioload so you won't need to recycle. You might get a mini-cycle for a day or two but that can be managed with water changes.

[karlb123]

well I had a very small filter that came with my baby turt and i added a few fish in with him on this filter then i got a new internal filter and stupidly took the old one out thats been running ok, waters crystal clear and no fish deaths except for being eaten by the turt, I then got the Tetratec ex2400 and have been running this along side the internal filter...no blooms or anything though...so I should really do a fresh start/proper cycle on the new tank?

[karlb123]

well I had a very small filter that came with my baby turt and i added a few fish in with him on this filter then i got a new internal filter and stupidly took the old one out thats been running ok, waters crystal clear and no fish deaths except for being eaten by the turt, I then got the Tetratec ex2400 and have been running this along side the internal filter...no blooms or anything though...so I should really do a fresh start/proper cycle on the new tank?