Starting New Tank

[BIG BAD BARRY]

I will be able to start setting up the new tank in a day or two!

I will be using some sponge, tank water and maybe some gravel from an established tank.

With Fishless cycling - add and wait method, should i add some ammonia right from the start or wait a couple of days for the setup to run?
My tap water contains no ammonia.
Will probably be using seachem prime so should i wait at least 24hrs and then take test readings to see where ammonia is at without starving the little bacteria that i will be starting off with?

 

[Doc7]

soon as you get the tank set up and it's run for an hour or so with no leaks, heater works right, etc, with dechlor (prime), go ahead and start the cycle no need to wait. especially as you don't want to lose your bacteria from the established tank...

 

[KittyKat]

+1 for above.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree, just get right to it.

 

[roadmaster]

Were it me,and i was adding "sponge,water,and gravel from existing tank" I would not worry bout adding ammonia,certainly not at 3to 5 ppm.
I would add a pinch of flake food each day to keep the borrowed bacteria alive untilI was ready to add fish. I would then do a largish water change right before adding a few fish.

 

[waterdrop]

I -do- like to add a tiny pinch of fishfood occasionally to a fishless cycle! But now that I understand the feel of it I like to qualify the filter with numbers, using ammonia, it's SO repeatable. WD

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Thanks folks - will get to it!
Will start a new post with the test readings when i am set up.