Cycling

[nay27uk]

Im curious about cycling a tank i read the cycling stuff on here and found somthing about a woman that used flos from a pond. could i not just fill my tank with water from an established pond

 

[Tempestuousfury]

The bacteria that converts the ammonia cultivates the filter media and substrate (more in the media, though), and very little of it is in the water. The easiest thing to do is to move over some filter media (like the lady and her filter floss).

 

[nay27uk]

The bacteria that converts the ammonia cultivates the filter media and substrate (more in the media, though), and very little of it is in the water. The easiest thing to do is to move over some filter media (like the lady and her filter floss).

OK thanks i bought some chemical from wilkinsons that degrades amonia and nitrite.
the fish seem much happier now the water has been de chlorinated and that degrader added. the degrader says that the active ingredient is (natural living organisms) i will still try the filter media from a pond at a later date just to make double sure.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Those organisms are most likely bacteria, which is what is already in the media. *nods* It'll do the trick, though sometimes these chemicals or cultures or what have you don't work since the bacteria culture is dead. Moving filter is the safest bet, IMO, but if it is working for you, then that's great.