I am trying to create a 20 gallon Q tank without using fish in the cycle. I can't find any plain bottled ammonia anywhere, and I've looked everywhere. I've got a 36 gallon that I believe is cycled. I'm thinking of moving some things from the 36 to the 20 to jump start the cycle. Maybe some substrate, a couple of used filter pads, a few fake plants, maybe a fake rock or two.

Does this make sense? And how much should I move over? Also, how long does an item need to be in a cycled, healthy tank to grow a decent amount of bacteria?

Thanks,
Zambize

I had asked about a quarantine tank a few weeks ago, and it was suggested that nothing be placed in there, for ease of cleaning. However, if you want to get ammonia in there without fish, you could just add food daily in small amounts as if u were feeding, this will introduce ammonia... and when cleaning time comes, it will be very easy as there is no substrate or objects.

Thanks prskiller -- I never could find just plain ammonia, and I live in the 6th largest city in the nation! (ok, I didn't look *everywhere*) However, I cycled my tank in about 2 hours anyway! I moved some gravel, plants, water, and one of the two filters from my existing tank to the 20 gallon tank and voila, instant cycle.

Zambize

You want to add some of the filter material from your cycled tank to the new tank's filter. Oftentimes it will instantly cycle as the bacterial colonies are already established. Make sure you add at least one fish, or there will be no ammonia to feed the colonies. Don't forget to test the water daily for ammonia and nitrite readings.

SMART! That's exactly what I do if I am setting up another tank. Instant cycle!

Instead of using ammonia I wonder if you could pee in it?