1/2 Tinfoil barb acting very erratic

Sorry for ghosting out, I haven't had any internet access because I was in the process of getting a new provider. Anyways, what i ended up doing was taking some algae from my buddy's 55 gallon tank (Fully cycled and very healthy tank). If this doesn't work in the next two weeks, then i'll cycle the tank.

Bad idea?
 
Sorry for ghosting out, I haven't had any internet access because I was in the process of getting a new provider. Anyways, what i ended up doing was taking some algae from my buddy's 55 gallon tank (Fully cycled and very healthy tank). If this doesn't work in the next two weeks, then i'll cycle the tank.

Bad idea?
If by "algae", you mean BB, then it would be a good idea. Used tank water cannot cycle a tank by itself.
 
Ask your buddy for a few handfuls of substrate, put it in some lady stockings (pantyhose/tights lol) and put it in your tank. Alternatively, ask him for some filter media, transfer to your tank (store in plastic baggie of tank water). This would really help.

As groovitude says if algae means Bio Balls then great - same effect.

Just to note, the tank is already in a cycle one way or the other - that's just cause and effect - its a question of whether you manage it safely for the fish or not.
 
Ask your buddy for a few handfuls of substrate, put it in some lady stockings (pantyhose/tights lol) and put it in your tank. Alternatively, ask him for some filter media, transfer to your tank (store in plastic baggie of tank water). This would really help.

As groovitude says if algae means Bio Balls then great - same effect.

Just to note, the tank is already in a cycle one way or the other - that's just cause and effect - its a question of whether you manage it safely for the fish or not.

I'll be testing all that good stuff on a daily basis. Ill give it a month and see how the results are after that.
 
When you "cycle" a tank the term cycling means to establish a beneficial bacterial colony that will convert ammonia (fish waste,decomposing plant matter) to NitrIte then finally to NitrAte. NitrAtes are removed by pwc (partial water changes, plants). This chart would be for a planted tank but PWC's would be used in place of the plants NitrAte usage in an unplanted tank.

nitrogencycle.JPG
 
AquariaCentral.com