I'm setting up a new 90 gal tank and I'm attempting a fishless cycle (see my post on "What comes first: Fish or Plants") My test kit has still not arrived yet and I'm impatient!! The tank is at my office and I'm lucky enough to have a friend down the hall with a 20 gal stocked with fancy goldfish - yea I know, two tanks in one office building - what a great place to work. She has graciously offered to give me some of her bacteria!! I've seeded my tank with a cup of her gravel. I've even moved a few of her decorations into my tank in hopes of spreading her wealth of beneficial bacteria. My question is: Should I occasionally rince her filter media in my clean tank or is that taking things too far?
If that is a good source of amonia or bacteria, how often could I put her filter material in my tank before I run the risk of putting her tank in a mini cycle?
I realize that this may be a non-traditional method. But I've read the article on fishless cycles and I'm uncertain where to find a source of pure ammonia.
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks
If that is a good source of amonia or bacteria, how often could I put her filter material in my tank before I run the risk of putting her tank in a mini cycle?
I realize that this may be a non-traditional method. But I've read the article on fishless cycles and I'm uncertain where to find a source of pure ammonia.
Any thoughts are welcome.
Thanks