Moving to a new tank!

[JayFaye]

Hey guys! So I just bought a new tank (and new sand) for Toothless and am wondering what's the best/fastest way to get the new tank cycled. I don't really want to use fish for cycling...
I know putting my existing filter into it can jump start the cycling process, but then Toothless will be left without a filter, and unless it gets cycled within a couple days I don't really want to leave her without one. I'm also hoping to get a new sponge filter though, so maybe if I put that into my existing tank and get it cycled through I could have a filter to put in the new one?

But anyway! Suggestions?

 

[LSuzuki]

Usually you can just move the filter to the new tank and call it done. Yes, you should monitor the ammonia etc closely after you do this, but most of the good bacteria should be in the filter, so as long as you don't do something silly, like overfeeding, the filter should be able to handle the the new tank even before the bacteria colonize the tank surfaces and substrate..