Cycling New Tank

[Noobiefishy]

Hi

I've just got a new 25 litre tank. I'm totally new to fish keeping. I know this is a very small tank, but it was free and I'm only wanting to keep a small amount of fish to begin with.

I am hoping to get african dwarf frogs, how many could comfortably live in this size tank?

Anyway, my main question was: how do I kick start my tank using some media from someone else's tank? Its a healthy tank, that has been up and running for over 2 years. What do I actually take? And how soon after adding the dirty media, will my tank be ready?

Sorry, like I said, I'm totally new to all this. I have read up so much, and I end up confusing myself!

Thanks very much

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Good morning, firstly welcome and well done on posting your first question, it really is very, very easy to simply 'pop' any tank inhabitants into your tank and hope for the best, so well done on doing your research

I can't comment on frogs, but i do know most of them need a brackish environment, which means you will be keeping a salt water environment..i maybe wrong with your particular frogs, but i'm sure someone else can guide you in that respect.
With regards to your friends' media donation, you need to take as much of his media that is physically possible without disturbing his filter and/or cycle. He maybe using sponges, or ceramic balls/noodles... either way, a small handful might be enough seeming as you only have a small tank and therefore (i'm presuming) a small filter.

Once the media is transferred across, i suggest running it for a week at least (qualifying week) whilst adding an ammonia source (household ammonia from Boots) whilst all along testing your water (if you don't have a water test kit, it's always suggested that you get one, £20, Ebay).. if you post your results on here, combined with what information you have already digested on this site then you'll be up and running in no time!

All the best with it.
Terry.