After TTM, didn’t think about this part...

[Sidewyz]

I have just completed 6 rounds of TTM between a 32gallon cube and 50gall tank for approx 14 fish. They are all looking really good and handled the moves quite well. That part is done and the DT has two months to sit fallow. My problem is this. I need to get the cube cycled with an operating filter. Do I just keep the fish in the 50 and do major water changes while I jump start the cube with bio digest? The only filtration on the 50 is a bubbling sponge filter.

 

[scuzy]

Use bottle bacteria it works too jump start the cycle faster. Keep up with water change for ammonia. Or use prime.

 

[Humblefish]

Use bottle bacteria it works too jump start the cycle faster. Keep up with water change for ammonia. Or use prime.

+1 I also recommend investing in a HOB filter (Aquaclear or Bio-wheel) for more efficient filtration. The bacteria you dose will colonize the biomedia utilized by the filter.

 

[Smo]

And you might consider splitting the fish between the two tanks—once the last transfer tank has been sterilized and allowed to dry for at least 48 hours.

 

[Skep18]

Bottle of Biospira and monitor ammonia daily maybe to ensure its not remaining unprocessed.

 

[Sidewyz]

Cool. Thanks for the tips I’m on the right track. I’ll start up the cube’s internal filter and prime with bio digest. Let that run a few days and start adding fish a few at a time. All the while monitoring ammonia levels in both tanks, changing water when needed.

 

[Skep18]

Having AmQuel or Prime on hand can help also. Some manage ammonia this way alone as I understand it.

 

[Sidewyz]

Having AmQuel or Prime on hand can help also. Some manage ammonia this way alone as I understand it.

I do have AmQuel. Used that once and it really stressed the fish by removing their available oxygen. They are much healthier now the ich is gone so maybe it they’l tolerate it better.

 

[Skep18]

I do have AmQuel. Used that once and it really stressed the fish by removing their available oxygen. They are much healthier now the ich is gone so maybe it they’l tolerate it better.

Yea, my experience with it, I use a venturi powerhead with it to try and keep the water aerated.

 

[SeaJay]

I've been using Fritz 9 for bottle bacteria. $28 gallon on Amazon and it's worked just fine for me. Used it to cycle my DT and use it to control ammonia in my QT. First signs of ammonia I can add it and it and bring the ammonia back down very quickly.