cycling with used media

[GBLShorty]

Hi so i was all set to start my cycle with ammonia tomorrow and a nice guy from my town offered me a filter sponge to kick start my cycle.

so once i put it in, would that be enough to start the cycle? i have a API master test kit etc, how would i test it out? by still putting ammonia in the tank?

 

[IHaveADogToo]

Don't let that filter sponge dry out. Keeping it wet (with tank water) will keep the bacteria colony alive. If it dries out, your colony dies.

I'd say let it run with that seeded media and test the water daily until your ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are all where they need to be. Should be days, instead of weeks. If you're lucky, could be hours. Still, I wouldn't add fish today.

 

[GBLShorty]

no i cant afford my fish for a while yet, do i keep adding ammonia to the tank?

 

[AbbeysDad]

Yes, either add a few drops of pure ammonia each day, or add fish food - the bacteria need food as well as O2 to continue to thrive.