new tank

[fishdude]

i am setting up a new 30 gal tank. I was told by a freind that if i used water from my old ten gallon then i would only have to cycle for a few days, is this true?

[VoodooChild]

Not a few days, but it helps. Actually use some seeded gravel. That'll make more of a difference. You should still start light, but you'll be a bit farther along than if you started from scratch.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Not really, no, the water has barely any free floating bacteria in it. You should use objects that were in the other tank, like filter media, decorations, and the top half inch of substrate.

[dethjam316]

by using pieces of filter media (ie: sponges) and gravel/sand from established tanks, all of the tanks i've set up in the last year have completely (or near-completely) avoided cycling. even the tanks i set up in florida after a 1,000 mile move showed almost no signs of cycling thanks to the use of seeded sponges and gravel.