Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / March 2005

I have always had good like with the bottles full of bacteria like
Cycle, instant tank cycle, never even saw any minor spike.

If your old filter has several sponges (gross filter) move it into the
new filter, instant cycle, leave it in till the first filter cleaning.

Put some (about a cup) of dirty gravel in a 'media' filter bag and hand
it very near/touching the new filter inlet, or put it in the new filter.
instant cycle, leave it in till the first filter cleaning.

My favorite product is called biozyme-comes in a little yellow tube, and
works like a charm! I've never had any luck with TLC, though. Just
really expensive and inefective. Anyone else got experience with some
"jump-start" products? These kinds of questions get asked often, and its
good for everyone to know whats been working in other tanks.

http://www.cichlidfish.com/portal/forums

From what you are saying I guess you already have an established tank. Take
some of the filter medium from your existing and add it into the new. You
can also take some of the substrate and add it in. This will give you an
established bacteria culture.

You should then add the fish immediately otherwise the bacteria will die
off.

Gill