New tank start up

[Tank20]

If I were starting a brand new tank could I use some of the water from my existing tank to give it a kick start in cycling?

 

[SaraB]

Water doesn't hold too much beneficial bacteria. Try using old filter media or decorations instead.

 

[kbalaz]

as Sara said, there is no real measurable beneficial bacteria in the water. What type of filter are you using or plan on using in new setup. I have added extra bio material into my HOB filter and put a sponge filter into existing tank and let it run for a month. When I set up new tank, I moved over sponge filter and put a bag of seeded material on top of the sponge and cycle was pretty much instant.