Cycle question about transferring media and water

[LuckyJGuy]

Hey all, I recently came into a 40 gallon tank. After testing it and cleaning it I have found a spot for it and am ready to start the cycle. With that said ...

My girlfriends dad has a 55g aquarium stocked with 4 large cichlids. The tank has been established for around 5 years. He has two 50 gallon filters running.

I plan on doing a fishless cycle and here are my questions ...

If I replace one of his filters (i.e. buy a new filter and hang it in the place of one of his old ones) and put this filter on my 40g will it hurt his tank?

What kind of difference would I see if I went with the above plan and took 10g of his tank water as well? Again, would it hurt his tank?

Thats about it for now, thanks!

 

[Watcher74]

Hey,

First off, what is a "50 gallon filter" exactly?

 

[shaunakadub]

I'd say you'd be all set. A lot of the benficial bacteria lives in the gravel as well as the filter, so it should not hurt his tank.

To even take it a step safer, when you purchase his new filter, run it on his tank with the other one for maybe a few days, then remove the old one and place it on your tank. His tank will be all set, and your new tank should be cycled.

Also, taking water from an established tank doesn't do anything. The bacteria live in the filter media and gravel.