Transplanting bacteria from filter to filter

[BDL11]

So i just filled up my 120 with tap water and added dechlorinator and im ready to start the cycling process (freshwater tank btw).
The filter I am going to use on the 120 is a Fluval fx6. i currently have a hang-on filter on my 20 gallon which has been running for a while that has just the carbon pouch and a tray with "bio scrubbers" or something. Can i just toss some of the fluval biomedia in the current filter and dirty it up a bit then put in back in the fx6 in order to kickstart the cycling process?
Thanks

 

[David R]

Running some of the new media in the old filter on the established tank will help you "transplant" the bacteria to the new tank. Just remember when you move the media across you will need to have a source of ammonia to keep the bacteria population going and increasing.

 

[Gill Blue]

I would put the old media in the new filter for a right now transfer. if you have a month or so to leave the new media in the old filter, then yes, that way will work.

 

[BuffaloPolypteridae]

Is it the tetra hob filters? What i did to use one of those is take the scrubber out (when the filter is NOT running) and grab some tank water from the 20 and swich the scrubber around in the water, then pour that water into your FX6 right on the sponge or bio-pellets. Add some pure ammonia or buy some guppys or something to help feed the beneficial bacteria. Last time i did this i waited about 3 weeks to add the stock, then i was doing it a fish at a time in 2 day intervals and it worked out well

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[Daonni]

Is it the tetra hob filters? What i did to use one of those is take the scrubber out (when the filter is NOT running) and grab some tank water from the 20 and swich the scrubber around in the water, then pour that water into your FX6 right on the sponge or bio-pellets. Add some pure ammonia or buy some guppys or something to help feed the beneficial bacteria. Last time i did this i waited about 3 weeks to add the stock, then i was doing it a fish at a time in 2 day intervals and it worked out well

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That should do it. Just keep an eye on parameters to watch for spike while adding fish.

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[rodger]

Be careful using "pure" ammonia. It usually lists surficant in the ingredient list. Soap is a surficant. It could also be something harmless like glycerin.

 

[GeraldM]

You could always just pee in the tank for the ammonia lol.

 

[BDL11]

Is it the tetra hob filters? What i did to use one of those is take the scrubber out (when the filter is NOT running) and grab some tank water from the 20 and swich the scrubber around in the water, then pour that water into your FX6 right on the sponge or bio-pellets. Add some pure ammonia or buy some guppys or something to help feed the beneficial bacteria. Last time i did this i waited about 3 weeks to add the stock, then i was doing it a fish at a time in 2 day intervals and it worked out well

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Yeah its a tetra, this is exactly what ill do. Ill probably end up using some small fish because, like Rodger said, i may be adding something harmful to the tank. Thanks for the advise

 

[Pole]

Yeah its a tetra, this is exactly what ill do. Ill probably end up using some small fish because, like Rodger said, i may be adding something harmful to the tank. Thanks for the advise

I have heard that if you open a bottle of ammonia and shake it then there shouldn't be any foam if its without harmful items.


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[Mr.Manaconda]

That's why I always throw a couple pot scrubber pads into the filters on my established tanks. When I need to set up another tank(new stock, quarantine etc..) Its grab and go bio filtration.