Question Re: Mature Media For Cycling

[sandra_may]

When using mature media does it have to come from the same kind of tank, ie: Tropical to tropical, cold water to cold water??

I'm awaiting delivery of my tanks, one of which I'm setting up to be a 'cold' water tank for fancy goldfish and the other I'm setting up as a tropical one. My friend of the family has a pond, would it be ok to use some mature media from his pond/pond filter in either/both of my tanks?

Also, I only intend to set up one tank at a time so once I have one set up will it be ok to use media from that one to start the cycle in my other, even though one is 'cold' water and the other tropical?

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice.

San

 

[waterdrop]

Between cold and tropical -tanks- is ok, using pond media is not because of other organisms I believe.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

Freshwater to freshwater only. Salty tanks have a different set of bacteria present. Many ponds become infested with things you would probably not have in an indoor tank, like dragonfly larvae, so pond media is not the best choice.

 

[sandra_may]

Thanks guys

 

[sjolliff]

Do not use pond media, i did and it ruined my cycle, full or allsorts

 

[sandra_may]

Thank you. I'll give that idea a miss then

Now to see if I can find someone to donate some from their tank

 

[sjolliff]

Have you had a look at the donate page?

 

[sandra_may]

Have you had a look at the donate page?

Yeah I looked but the only people in my area have been inactive for a long time. I've started a seperate thread making a request.