This might seem a bit more like me just wanting another tank. Maybe it is, but, I just started a new 10g nurse tank (coming from a tiny 2.5g). I will list the process of "hurrying" the cycle that I did...

First, I purchased and rinsed the 15lb bag of red eco-complete, 10g tank, and rinsed a 5lb bag of black aquarium pebbles. BTW, this substrate REALLY took a loooong time to rinse. I would say about an hour! It was still cloudy, but, anywho...

After the rinsing, I drained a gallon or two of my main tank's water into my "fish tank only" bucket and transferred the two "maintenance guppies" to it. (I like quotations and parenthesis btw!)

I then scooped out the existing pebbles/rock from the 2.5g and made a centered strip at the very bottom of the new 10g. I did this, because, they are a bright blue! LOL, I didn't want to mix those with the red. Upon that layer I covered with the red Eco-Complete and black pebble mix.

When I finally had the substrate as even as I could feel and tell, I added about 4 gallons of water from my main, well-established tank. I then added about half of the 2.5g water to that. I then filled the remaining with conditioned tap water. I also added a proper dose of Cycle.

While the guppies were in the bucket, I gave them the bubbles and a tiny pinch of food for being good. I then added the "defogger" stuff that came in a packet with the substrate (to the new tank NOT the bucket.)

I used and old 20g cartridge filter, rinsed the 2.5g filter media in remaining/leftover tank water, and then inserted to 20g filter (yes it floated freely where a proper sized should've been.)

About two days later I bought and planted a crypt. And transferred one anubias to the tank. A couple days after that I snatched up 4 of the platy fry in my main, and one day layer an injured zebra danio and added them to the tank.

It has been about a week and I haven't any spikes... yet.

My question is, does anyone think there to be any issues to arise with the blue rock at the bottom?

The first few days I let the 2.5 media float in the filter. I then wedged another new 2.5 cartridge in there for a couple days. I've now removed them and inserted the proper size. I have the original, rinsed, 2.5 resting in the tank for now. Would this be an issue? How long should I let it sit in there?

I also just did about a 1/3 PWC today on my 10g.

I am noticing the scroll bar to the right is getting smaller so I will wrap up this book! lol sorry!!!

Any input would be helpful!!

__________________
"May I never wake from the American Dream."
-Carrie Latet

60 gallon
5 Orange/Sunburst Platy
1 Angelfish
1 Silver Tip Tetra
2 Glass Catfish
4 Zebra Long Fin Danios
2 Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE)
2 Amano Shrimp
2 Fancy? Tetras
1 Green/Ghost pleco
Hygrophila angustifolia
Anacharis
Swords: 1 Melon, 1 Amazon, 1 Rose
Micro Sword
Moneywort
Rotala nanjenshan
Anubias barteri/Broad Leaf
Brazillian Pennywort

and some I forgot the species of...

I don't think there should be a problem with the blue rock at the bottom, it probably helped start your tank cycle a lot quicker. It should be fine there.

As for the filter I would personally let it stay in there for another week and if all is well and the fish are happy take it out

Thats just my opinion though, best of luck with the new tank!

__________________
20g Planted Tank (Still cycling)

Best to leave the established filter in there at least a couple of weeks.

__________________
SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY YEARS, NOT MONTHS!!!
220 Tank build
http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/sta...late-3253.html

Thanks for all the good advice! I wasn't sure if a few days to a couple weeks was best.

__________________
"May I never wake from the American Dream."
-Carrie Latet

60 gallon
5 Orange/Sunburst Platy
1 Angelfish
1 Silver Tip Tetra
2 Glass Catfish
4 Zebra Long Fin Danios
2 Siamese Algae Eaters (SAE)
2 Amano Shrimp
2 Fancy? Tetras
1 Green/Ghost pleco
Hygrophila angustifolia
Anacharis
Swords: 1 Melon, 1 Amazon, 1 Rose
Micro Sword
Moneywort
Rotala nanjenshan
Anubias barteri/Broad Leaf
Brazillian Pennywort

and some I forgot the species of...

The tank sounds like it's progressing nicely. Do weekly 1/3 PWC's and you should be good, till the filter media that's gonna stay in the filter gets nice and gummy.

__________________
Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!