Using precycled water for new tank?

[NeonTetra1]

I am going to have a guppy tank in a month (5.5 gallons) and I was wondering if I could use half of my cycled, established Betta tank water and filter media for the new tank. I could also use some from my 3 gallon Betta tank. Is it ok that they are not the same species? Is cycled Betta water ok for guppies?

 

[SimpleMan]

There is very limited to no beneficial bacteria in the water column, most is found on hard surfaces. So that being said no benefit of transferring water. Taking the old filter media is a great idea however and can speed up cyling new tank greatly as beneficial bacteria lives in the filter media. Different species will not effect this at all.

 

[StarGirl]

The media you are going to use.........is the tank you are taking it from still going to be running? What kind of media is it?

I agree the water wont do much unless you are transferring shrimp that need the same parameters. Doesnt matter as much with fish.

 

[Arvil]

Species do not matter. Ammonia is still ammonia.

 

[NeonTetra1]

Yes I have a 5 gallon Betta tank that will still be running, im just going to get another tank for guppies. The media is filter sponge. What if I added some of the gravel to the fish tank? That would add some beneficial bacteria, right?

 

[StarGirl]

Yes I have a 5 gallon Betta tank that will still be running, im just going to get another tank for guppies. The media is filter sponge. What if I added some of the gravel to the fish tank? That would add some beneficial bacteria, right?

The more transferred over the better. You just cant take everything from the other tank.