Can an older tank help cycle a newer one?

brandon429 · Jan 13, 2023

agreed

except for the nitrite part, that's now neutral in reefing and we don't factor it at any time/we recommend not to own the test kit for several reasons.

its harmful in freshwater for sure

just not saltwater

BeanAnimal · Jan 13, 2023

brandon429 said:
all reefers have read/been told that reef tank water doesn't carry cycling bacteria (that it's on surfaces only)

I mean if it was not in the water then how does it get from thing to thing in the system

Sure it is in the water - it may not live/survice there in quantity, but it is there.

Tired · Jan 13, 2023

I've generally seen "nitrifying bacteria isn't especially populous in the water" over "the water in a reef tank is sterile". Mostly in the context of things like, if you want to move the contents of one tank into another, don't bother saving the old water- your biofilter moves with the rock, and the small amount of bacteria in the old water isn't worth the trouble.

BeanAnimal · Jan 13, 2023

brandon429 said:
agreed

except for the nitrite part, that's now neutral in reefing and we don't factor it at any time/we recommend not to own the test kit for several reasons.

its harmful in freshwater for sure

just not saltwater

People purchase nitrite test kits? I have never owned one

BeanAnimal · Jan 13, 2023

Tired said:
I've generally seen "nitrifying bacteria isn't especially populous in the water" over "the water in a reef tank is sterile". Mostly in the context of things like, if you want to move the contents of one tank into another, don't bother saving the old water- your biofilter moves with the rock, and the small amount of bacteria in the old water isn't worth the trouble.

It is enough to inoculate a new system is the point... I would guess so is that that comes in on a fish dumped into the tank.