Filter Media From Friends Gold Fish Bowl

[DanielG]

Hi everyone,

I am just about to set up my Rio 125 and am going to do a fishless cycle. I have heard it mentioned on hear that using gravel or filter media from an established tank will speed up the process.

My friend has a poorly looked after gold fish bowl with no filter and i was wondering if i could use a little of his gravel to help speed up the cycling of my tank?

I was nt sure if it would be ok to use as his is just a normal cold freshwater bowl that has nt even got dechlorinated water in it. I am setting up a planted commuity tropical tank.

Also if i could use his, which by the way looks teeming with bacteria(or dirt) which would be the best way to introduce it to my tank?

 

[*Fishkies*]

I doubt there would be any bacteria in that gravel on the goldfish bowl. Espeically if it's poorly looked after. Your better off just starting fresh then you will have nothing to worry about. Unless you can find another friend who already has an establihsed tank. You could check your LFS, as I have read about a few memebers being able to get filter media and that from their LFS.

Good Luck!