Setting up new tank query

[FrannyB]

When starting a new tank with Aquasoil, could the cycle period be reduced or elimated if one chose to fill the tank with water from other tanks that are already cycled?

[krisw]

Adding extra water like that can definitely help. In general, the more plants you start with, the faster it'll go because the plants will help absorb the Ammonia. So, once the plants start growing, you're likely to be okay.

The one thing to be careful of with Amazonia is a pH crash. Amazonia buffers the water downward, so you'll likely want to do a couple significant water changes before adding any fish. Once that's done, it usually balances out just fine -- it's just the initial setup to worry about. To tell, just do a pH test -- you'll know if it's really affecting the water.

[Judi]

I would think that robbing filter media from established tanks and putting that in the new tank's filter would help a lot.

[RTRJR]

In a newly set tank that is not heavy in total plant mass yet - as Francine's new setup is right now - I would rather depend on mature filter media from an established tank. The plants can use the nitrate almost as well as the ammonia, and there should be less chance of algae with the nitrate than the ammonia. Once the plants are settled and especially after plant mass develops a bit, the mature filter media will be largely redundant.