About a week ago I bought a tetra 3 stage filter with a bio foam pad. I've never used a bio filter before so my knowledge on them is limited. I have read about them and they all seem to say to let the filter cycle for at least two weeks or until you have an amonia spike. My question is, should I have any traces of amonia before the spike occurs? I have added household amonia to help with it, I was told that this would help, and I have no traces of amonia. It's not possible that the bacteria has already culturized is it? Another thing that I have done was add about a gallon of old aquarium water which had traces of amonia. By the way the tank I'm using is a 5 gallon hospital tank. Please, someone help, I'm confused with this filter. 
