New tank same livestock&rock

[iamurri33]

I had a 125 and upgraded to a 300. Put my fish in a 100gal tote for the time being. Put all rock from the 125 in to my 300 gal and put new dry sand in my new tank. How should I start the cycle for the tank? a piece of table shrimp? And with all my rock in the tank will it just suck up the ammonia and not start the cycle?

 

[Malkbone]

As long as the rock was still live when it was transferred to your new 300g then you shouldn't have much of a cycle, as the bioload will be the same, and the bacteria is already established.

I believe most people would feed the same that you intend to feed your fish and monitor your ammonia and nitrites. With this feeding schedule when you're consistently testing low to 0 ammonia and nitrites you will be safe to add fish. This way you know your new tanks bacteria population is stabilized around your expected bioload from your existing stock

 

[iamurri33]

I should be ok even with the new dry sand?

 

[Malkbone]

I should be ok even with the new dry sand?

Yes, I'd still give it about a week of consistent ghost feeding to stabilize your bacteria population.

The real indicator of when you know you're safe to add fish is when you have been feeding and show 0 ammonia 24hours after feeding