question about using seeded material

[amyandlars]

I have 2 penguin filters. One is a 150 the other is a 350. The 150 is in an established tank, the 350 is an empty tank just started doing a fishless cycle.

Last week I added extra material to the tank filter, quilt batting, and today added the that to the new filter. I plan on continuing to do this every week in order to jump start the bacterial colony. Is this going to work, or am I doing this for nothing? Should I keep the material in the established filter for longer?

 

[liv2padl]

it's a good idea in principal but you'll need to leave the 'extra material' in the established filter for longer than a week for any significant concentration of bacteria to colonize the new filter. my suggestion is three weeks minimum.

 

[webcricket]

I'd say at least 2 solid weeks. I've run extra filters in an established tank before and then instant cycled smaller tanks with that filter. I used to have a much higher fish load in that established tank though...if you are understocked, leave the material in longer as bacteria will take longer to grow.

You could also try filter squeezings...take your established filter media and give a good squeeze of it right into the new filter.