Cycling Question?

[kazc31]

So Basically I'm wanting to do a fishless cycle and things typically are tight at the moment! I can't find a reasonable sized bottle of ammonia! Not really wanting a large bottle and having to pay costs for p&p!! But my friend has a couple of goldfish so was thinking of asking her if I could place my filter in there! How long would It have to remain in her tank! And also although her fish seem healthy enough is there any way disease etc could be introduced into my tank or would this only be present if the fish were I'll? Wanting to do this right first time no set backs like!!! Thanks!!!

 

[the_lock_man]

I'm assuming that your friend's filter is fully cycled.
 
You can put your filter in her tank, but it will take the same sort of time as a fish-in cycle. Further, as your bacteria grow, so the existing bacteria get a bit starved - because there's only so much bacteria to go around. It's not really an ideal solution.
 
This is saying free UK delivery, if that helps?

 

[SmexxyNick]

Here's what you want to do, When he cleans his filter get a styrofoam cup and fill it half way with his aquarium water, and squeeze his sponge and his mechanical, and his biomax whatever he has in his filter, and dump that brown water in your fish tank, and in a week it should be fully cycled. Anymore questions ask me.

 

[TallTree01]

^ I have a question!
Well not really, more of a statement.
I'd always thought that the water had very few beneficial bacteria so doing what you suggested would aid the cycle very little.

 

[SmexxyNick]

When he does a water change 25% or however much he does, dump that in the tank and it should speed it up even faster ! fastest i ever cycled a tank was 7 days without spending money, 


Ohh, I just said fill the cup with aquarium water because, if you use tap water it will kill all the bacteria u put in it 

 

[the_lock_man]

Here's what you want to do, When he cleans his filter get a styrofoam cup and fill it half way with his aquarium water, and squeeze his sponge and his mechanical, and his biomax whatever he has in his filter, and dump that brown water in your fish tank, and in a week it should be fully cycled. Anymore questions ask me.

 

When he does a water change 25% or however much he does, dump that in the tank and it should speed it up even faster ! fastest i ever cycled a tank was 7 days without spending money, 


Ohh, I just said fill the cup with aquarium water because, if you use tap water it will kill all the bacteria u put in it 

 
The flaw in your logic is that these bacteria will need something to feed them. If you just dump the seed material in the filter and wait a week, the bacteria will have starved. The OP does not have fish in at the moment.
 
If Kaz gets the bottled ammonia, and gets some filter gunk, or better still, some of the actual media from the friends tank, it will significantly speed up the cycle, but to do so in a week? Maybe. Some do, some don't. Let's not try to get Kaz's hopes up, here, Nick.

^ I have a question!
Well not really, more of a statement.
I'd always thought that the water had very few beneficial bacteria so doing what you suggested would aid the cycle very little.

 
You're right, the water itself does indeed hold neglible bacteria. But with the squeeze will come some gunk, and that will have some bacteria.
 
A better bet, as I said above, is to have some actual biomedia. Kaz, if you are able to take some of your friends filter, take a maximum of a third, and give her back an equal of your new filter media. You will find that the bacteria colonies in your friend's filter we recolonise the new media quickly, and she will not have any noticeable effect on biofiltration.

 

[SmexxyNick]

Here's what you want to do, When he cleans his filter get a styrofoam cup and fill it half way with his aquarium water, and squeeze his sponge and his mechanical, and his biomax whatever he has in his filter, and dump that brown water in your fish tank, and in a week it should be fully cycled. Anymore questions ask me.

 

>When he does a water change 25% or however much he does, dump that in the tank and it should speed it up even faster ! fastest i ever cycled a tank was 7 days without spending money, 


Ohh, I just said fill the cup with aquarium water because, if you use tap water it will kill all the bacteria u put in it 

 
The flaw in your logic is that these bacteria will need something to feed them. If you just dump the seed material in the filter and wait a week, the bacteria will have starved. The OP does not have fish in at the moment.
 
If Kaz gets the bottled ammonia, and gets some filter gunk, or better still, some of the actual media from the friends tank, it will significantly speed up the cycle, but to do so in a week? Maybe. Some do, some don't. Let's not try to get Kaz's hopes up, here, Nick.
 

True, what worked for me may not work for him, but he can wait 2 weeks however long he wants, It's all up to you man do things how you want...

 

[daizeUK]

Established bacteria live in a biofilm which attach to surfaces such as gravel and the sponge/ceramic media in your filter.  The water doesn't help much.
 
A tiny piece of your friend's filter sponge would help, if she's willing to cut some off and you can put that in your filter.  Then the Lock Man's link to Kleenoff is probably your best bet, if you live in the UK.  Otherwise maybe you could ask if anybody nearby could donate either media or a bottle of ammonia, I've got a bottle I don't need!

 

[the_lock_man]

 

Here's what you want to do, When he cleans his filter get a styrofoam cup and fill it half way with his aquarium water, and squeeze his sponge and his mechanical, and his biomax whatever he has in his filter, and dump that brown water in your fish tank, and in a week it should be fully cycled. Anymore questions ask me.

 

>When he does a water change 25% or however much he does, dump that in the tank and it should speed it up even faster ! fastest i ever cycled a tank was 7 days without spending money, 


Ohh, I just said fill the cup with aquarium water because, if you use tap water it will kill all the bacteria u put in it
 

 
The flaw in your logic is that these bacteria will need something to feed them. If you just dump the seed material in the filter and wait a week, the bacteria will have starved. The OP does not have fish in at the moment.
 
If Kaz gets the bottled ammonia, and gets some filter gunk, or better still, some of the actual media from the friends tank, it will significantly speed up the cycle, but to do so in a week? Maybe. Some do, some don't. Let's not try to get Kaz's hopes up, here, Nick.

True, what worked for me may not work for him, but he can wait 2 weeks however long he wants, It's all up to you man do things how you want...
 

 
THe point is that the bacteria must be fed ammonia. THat could be bottled, or it could be fish, but if the latter, you can't rely on a filter squeeze to instantly cycle, and Kaz wanted to avoid a fish-in cycle.

 

[kazc31]

Yea I did think of the whole starving issue may just have to wait extra long for some ammonia I guess! Cheers!

 

[the_lock_man]

Are you in the UK?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

A bit of fish food, or some raw shrimp (prawn, if you prefer) will also provide some ammonia - it just takes longer as it has to break down a bit first.  But, that's the "old fashioned" way of doing it.  

 

[kazc31]

Yea in Uk? U know of any reasonable retailers were I could grab a small bottle! And have been using fish food although gives my water loads of nutrients were Dino's if there called that are thriving! Also heard doing it this way can end in a messy looking tank!! Thanks for ur posts!!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

It can lead to a messier tank, which is why its the "old-fashioned" way.    Using bottled ammonia is much "cleaner" - pardon the pun!

 

[daizeUK]

Ammonia is notoriously hard to buy from shops.  I think some homebase stores sell it, might be worth a look but they won't be small bottles.  Be careful you don't buy any brand with surfactants in it - if it foams up when you shake it don't use it.
 
Dino's... sorry I didn't understand this bit.  Do you mean Danios?  Are there fish in your tank?