Getting bacteria to new tank

kevinn2003

AC Members
Feb 26, 2003
40
0
0
Carol Stream , IL
Visit site
hey i have a new 55 gallon the waters been in there for like 2 weeks now but i made the mistake of cleaning it way to early and the bacteria never really established. I have a 20g tank thats been running for a few years if i take the water from that and put it in my new tank will that speed up the cycle? or will it cause harm.
 
You got the right idea, but it's not the water, by and large. The "cycling" bacteria are everywhere on surfaces, in the filter, on plants and rocks, and on the very top surface of the gravel. Switch as much filter media as you can. Try scraping up just the very uppermost gravel from the established system in a flat-sided deli container and spreading it in the new tank.

Floc bears many bacteria. Siphon out the gravel of the established tank (don't stir up the gravel). Let it settle for a couple of hours, pour off the water. And dump that detritus into your nice fresh new tank!
 
AquariaCentral.com