Topic: Switich Filter Media Between a New and Established Tank

[Guppy King]

The owner of my LFS told me they use filter media from an already established tank to kick start the cycling process. Is this true? Does anyone have any sort of experience with doing this? What sort of risk is their in carrying any sort of pathogen across tanks?

[Cholly]

That's how I start the cycle on all my new tanks. You've probably heard us talk about "filter squeezings", right? I haven't done a "from scratch" cycle in about a decade. There is a possibility of a pathogen transfer, but I use a rigorous quarantine process, so I'm not too worried. I might be nervous about using "squeezings" from my quarantine/hospital/grow out tank, but the rest of them I'm pretty sure are pathogen free other than what transfers through air. I could only be more sure if I had my tanks in a "clean room".