Seeding new filter.

[TomTheCichlid]

The beneficial bacteria we need are not planktonic, they are sessile, (they live as biofilm on surfaces), on media like ceramic rings, lava rock, or bio balls, even tank glass. They are not floating around in the water and helping to consume ammonia in any real sense in a planktonic state.
So using old water is basically futile. And in fact, using it can cover up what's really going on in a new cycle.
This is because old tank water already is most likely partially or even highly saturated with nitrate, so it can give an aquarist the false sense of security that the cycle is complete, when those nitrates are left over from the old water, and ammonia and nitrite are not being consumed.
One is better off using new water, so you watch the progeession of the cycle from ammonia, to nitrite, and finally nitrate, if starting a cycle from scatch .
And when adding media from a seasoned filter, to keep it seasoned, those bacteria need to be fed with ammonia, so adding "a few fish" to a tank with a seasoned filter is advised, if fish aren't added the bacteria in the seasoned media could starve.

Great reply thanks duanes. Makes perfect sense. Roughly how long does a new filter take to see in an established tank though? It’s a fully stocked 90g Malawi tank that I am seeding the new filter for the 125 in. Thanks

 

[Rocksor]

It all depends if you have increasing ammonia levels. No one can give you a rough estimate. Let the tests tell you.

 

[TomTheCichlid]

It all depends if you have increasing ammonia levels. No one can give you a rough estimate. Let the tests tell you.

So put the new filter into the new tank and get fish and just keep watch?

 

[Rocksor]

So put the new filter into the new tank and get fish and just keep watch?

Stock slowly and test ammonia and nitrites everyday. Or get Seachem Ammonia alert.

 

[duanes]

It all depends if you have increasing ammonia levels. No one can give you a rough estimate. Let the tests tell you.

I agree with this, there is not a cut and dry answer, it depends on how you stock, how much ammonia the stock produce, and other abstract conditions like flow thru filters, etc etc.
I have never had to recycle tanks, that have used seasoned media, reasoned substrate, and never had spikes, but.... I always lightly stock, and use plenty of aquatic and terrestrial plants.

 

[TomTheCichlid]

Perfect. Well with all being said. I think I’ll go and pick my JD up in the morning. Start with a couple of fish and just keep adding slowly until I’m at full stock. Thanks everyone