Newish tank

[Ramrebel]

I've moved and started up my old tank. Filled it with water and let the old filter run.

I took my water sample to the LFS. They told me my ammonnia and nitrites (nitrates) were really high and I should start over completely.

I emptied the tank and am about to clean everything in it (with water only). I was thinking of using water from my betta tank to start the cycle. It's going to be an African Ciclid tank.

any thoughts? will betta water work? am I doing anything wrong?

 

[rich311k]

Water will not really help much. It doesnt contain much in the way of bacteria. You need to get your hands on some seeded media.

 

[Ramrebel]

what is seeded meida?

 

[rich311k]

A sponge or such from a filter on a cycled tank.

 

[Ramrebel]

there's a sponge in my filter of the betta tank
would that work?

 

[theotheragentm]

If you squeeze out the sponge over your other filter's sponge, some of the bacteria will transfer. If you can tear off a piece of the sponge and cram it in with the new filter, that works even better.

 

[boojumsnark25]

You can also get something from your LFS, unless they are the type that love selling every medication in the world insteand of solving the problem.

It's at least worht a shot.