Water won't work but substrate (gravel) from a cycled tank will kickstart a cycle. If you can get a filter, if you can find filter media from a tank that is already cycled, it will either greatly speed up or even instantly cycle your tank.
As you've had fish in the tank already, the filter will probably start cycling right away. If you can't get pure ammonia, you can use dead shrimp to create ammonia.
Clean, cycled water will cure many, many problems with fungus, fin rot and prevents them from occuring in the first place.
I definately can feel your pain dude. Check craigs list, garage sales, 2nd hand stores, where you can for a filter if you have to. Make sure it comes with filter media.
Do you have an airpump?