Beneficial Bacteria

[Zac5556]

I just added some sponge filter water from a friends tank and just started the heater. When I put the bacteria filled water in my tank the water was 58 degrees Fahrenheit, did that kill the bacteria I need"

 

[Fishy friend2]

I don't think that you killed any bacteria that you needed, just adding water from another tank does not give you any beneficial bacteria, or well..... Any significant amounts of it. Their is really no point in using tank water from another tank for your cycle, you'll be better of using filter media instead

 

[OldMan47]

The bacteria will be fine. They overwinter in outdoor goldfish ponds so my bet is the mere 58F is plenty warm for them. When I think about it, I don't even bring my summer tub fish indoors until the water in my tub reaches about 55F. Of course I am keeping fish that can tolerate low temperatures in the tub. They always look great when I bring them indoors but they are very shy at first.

 

[Zac5556]

It was squeezed from a sponge filter

Thanks oldman, he told me the bacteria would be fine for a week without adding any ammonia or fish to the tank, won't they starve? Should I add a little bit of fish food?

 

[OldMan47]

Add something to keep the bacterial colony ticking over. I bought a lifetime supply of ammonia, a whole gallon, when I cycled my first tank so that is what I use. Fish food decaying will also work. You can expect to lose about 10% each day that the bacteria have no ammonia source but that means you are only down by about half at the end of a week. They will recover quickly when you supply a source of ammonia, such as fish or fish food or raw ammonia.

 

[Zac5556]

I have janitorial strength ammonia should I just add a little bit every day?

 

[OldMan47]

A few drops each day should keep the filter working fine. Check to make sure it is working by sampling your water for ammonia after a few days.