Cycle New tank

[iceskater]

I am buying a new tank today. I plan on using my old sponge for the discus. Can I cycle the new filter ok If I put goldfish in the new tank???


Karen

[Mr.Trips]

Hi Karen!

What size tank are you gonna get?

I would not put goldfish in for the cycle, can you pick up some Cardnials or Rummynose Tetras? Goldfish tend to be really a dirty fish!

They are a very hardy fish, and after I treat my water for chlorine, i put them in the tank to help the cycle. The good thing about the Cardnials and Rummys, is they can stay in the tank with your Discus!

Let us know!

[darcy]

Hi Karen
I always cycle new tanks with ammonia, I find it very easy and cuts way down on the time it takes to cycle with fish!! Also no chance of getting a disease that other fish may carry. I also just run extra sponges in all my filters and when I add a new tank I just take some of the sponges and away I go!!
Darcy

[DarkDiscus]

I agree with the above posts, especially the thought of keeping goldfish as far away from your discus tanks as possible!

John

[Carol_Roberts]

You can do a fishless cycle or if your discus are healthy you can simply put both the new and old filter on the discus tank. After 2 or 3 weeks the new filter will be cycled too. That's the great thing about having an established tank. You can cycle extra filters easily.

[iceskater]

Ok I have some more time for a better explanation and update.

I am getting a new QT a 20gallon. I plan on raising 5 new Discus in that tank till they grow. If I am success then I will splurge and get a larger tank. I plan on using the filter from established tank in the QT tank for the Discus ( I think). Side note: I spoke with Jeff today the fish I want will not be available until the end of April. I would probably have time to cycle the new filter. Opinions.

Ok, next plan. I have another tank currently it has 1 oscar, 2 parrots and 4 gourami's. The parrotts and Oscar have recently become real real aggresive and has caused me nothing but stress. I purchased fish to relax. Well anyway. I am returning the parrots and oscar. Now here comes the rest. I have a 3rd tank this one is small, it has 4 fancy goldfish. I want to put the goldfish in the community tank, that will make 4 gourami's and 4 goldfish. I hear goldfishs are dirty. What problems would that cause?

Final question, does the tank itself have the good bacteria needed to keep fish healty. If I put the new filter on the old tank would my fish me ok? Hense the question, would goldfish help cycle a new filter faster.

Appreciate any input.

Karen

[Carol_Roberts]

Yes, there is some good bacteria on the tank walls, but the bulk is in the filter media.

Why risk bringing diseases into your discus tank? Do a fishless cycle since you have the time.

[darcy]

I totally 150% agree with Carol. Better safe than sorry!!! Fishless cycle is the way to go.
Darcy

[iceskater]

Truth is I have never done a fishless cycle. I made big mistakes with this tank (first one) cleaned to much etc. and paid the price with dead fish. I will take some time and read up on the fishless cycle.

Thanks.