Quick Cycle from Established tank
 

Hey guys,

I am looking at setting up a 5g nano at my office. I have a 10g tank at home that has been up and running for a year and a half, and I was wondering if I can do anything to speed up the cycling process for the 5g tank? I heard using established sand can speed it up, a filter/sponge from an established tank, I also have some chaeto that I could throw in there. Which would work best in speeding up the cycle?

Thanks

Yer best bet would be a LR/Live sand combo I think. Carefull with the existing sand bed though.

Whats wrong with using existing sand bed?

If I do a waterchange on my established tank and keep some of that water to put in the new tank, would that help the cycle as well? Also, I will be using a Rio Nano skimmer as filtration, do I let the skimmer run during the cycle?

cured live rock will work best. water won't do much as it doesn't have the same benificial bacteria that cured llive rock has.

Established rock would be best, don't put in sand that has been disturbed..

Why do you not put in sand from and existing tank?

I have re-used sand in the past with no ill effects. I would give it several good rinsings to clear it of excess detrious however.