starting a second tank. Speed up cycle w/ first tank water?

[turbovr6]

Hi everyone,

Due to my fish growing at a rapid rate, I just picked up a used 90 gallon to add to my collection. To speed up the cycle I was going to use some water from my current 47gal, and take some of the bioballs and a filter sponge from my established canister and use it in the new canister.

Question is will this help to speed up the process? is it worth the effort?

Thanks in advance......

[neilanh]

The media (bioballs and sponge) will definately speed it up. Transferring water doesn't do you any good as the bacteria do not live in the water column, they live on surfaces such as your filter media, substrate, etc.

[theotheragentm]

I'll second that. The filter material is the best source of bacteria. Substrate would do well too. Water has little to no bacteria build up.

[evercl92]

^^ yep, what they said

[Lance M.]

I also agree with what everyone else said and also fast-growing stem plants can be used to speed up the process.

[Taelen]

I have used my substrate to seed 2 new tanks with great success.