Help setting up a used 84 Gallon tank

[spoonman]

I just bought a used FW 84 gallon tank for $300. It has undergravel filters, gravel, two HOB filters, rocks, plastic plants, castles...etc.. Do I still need to cycle the tank or will the bacteria that is presently in the tank be enough to start? It has been kept wet. I know I will have to test for Nitrite, Nitrate and amonia. But if the levels are right can I assume that I can introduce fish or should I induce a cycle? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[new2betas]

how long was the tank broken down for? If everything in the tank stayed completely submerged, inlcuding filter cartridges, then I would think you should be able to put fish in immediately. But, I would test water parameters first.

 

[jsoong]

I would do a quick test with ammonia. Get the tank running & add some pure ammonia as if you are doing a fishless cycle. If the tank clears the ammonia to nitrates (give it a few hours after dosing to 2 ppm), then you are good to go. Otherwise, continue & finish the fishless cycle. <With some bacteria there to start with, this should take just a few days.>