using old media to seed new tanks

[drgnfly829]

to me that is the fastest way i isually just switch canister filters from an overcrowded tank, but what bout when introducing
new or possibly debilitated fish?
keep a tank of sponge filters, hit it with biospira , feed it ammonia and go that way?
just trying to find a better way lately
sponge filters from established tanks are great but i'm getting a little paranoid about spreading pathogens

 

[is300zx]

If you're trying to set up a quarantine tank for new/sick fish then what I would do is exactly what you described except I don't even add bio spira or ammonia. I use sponge filters which I have left in an established tanks before hand or I take out bio media from the HOB filters and put it in the new tank. I would assume that you would keep the fish in QT long enough to assure that it does not have any diseases to contaminate the other tanks. Also if the new fish has no diseases then I would assume the filter is also clean from diseases. If you're unsure you can always disinfect the filters with bleach or some other disinfectants.