Using another systems water

[D. Adrian Manriquez]

Hi all! 

A friend of mine started an aquaponics system, and I'm behind her by several weeks.  I'm wondering if I can use some water sampled from her system to do my cycling, or to speed it up.  Any idea if this is possible?

Thanks!

Adrian

[Harold Sukhbir]

Hi Adrian,

This can cut the cycling time in half. I've cycled a system this way in 6 days! As long as you're sure the water source is safe, as you could inadvertently import fish/plant diseases form "dirty" water. Your friend's system has "seeded" water with nitrifying bacteria in it already, so adding to water with an ammonia source(your system) the bacteria will have food to continue growing. Nitrifying bacteria can double in size, under the right conditions every 24 hours. Good luck!

[Arvind Venkataraman]

yes it is the fastest way to cycle. You can get some aquarium water as well if you do not have access to aquaponic seeded water.

[Keith Rowan]

you'd be better off getting some of her media (gravel/hydroton whatever)

just trade some of your unseeded media for her seeded media

 

[Alex Veidel]

Yep, that's a great way to speed up your cycling process!