Mature Water Into Cycling Tank

[mnbyiuopre]

Okay, this might sound strange but please don't ask questions as I know it's ok. I need to put some gravel and water from a mature tank into a cycling tank. (Can't do the filter, long story) Anyway, should I pour thewater directly into the filter and the gravel into the tank OR should I just dump the water and gravel into the tank together?

 

[andywg]

I would leave the water. So long as you have been doing water changes then the pH of the old water should be the same as the new water. MAtch the temp and you will be fine to move the fish over. All the old water will do is import nitrates into the new tank (which you will have to do water changes to get rid of).

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Sorry, my head isn't really clear today so I might get this wrong but your saying: Just put the gravel from the mature tank into the cycling one? Just wanted to make sure.

 

[Christine1014]

That's what I'd do -- just the gravel. It's my understanding that the types of good bacteria you need for tank cycling don't live just in the water anyway -- they have to be "on" something, like your gravel, filter, etc. Good luck!!

 

[mnbyiuopre]

Ok! Hopefully this will speed up my cycle! (It's a small tank anyway but the faster the better!)