Adding old water to new tank?

Question

well i set up a new 29 gal tank thats been up for a week now with live plants and was wondering if it would help the bacteria (or something else) to add old water from my old tank (its been up for a year or two, 10 gal). like if i did a water change in my old tank i would add the water to the new tank. would this help at all or would i just be wasting my time?

Answer 1

The water is not what you need, its the media from the filter or the gravel and decorations that holds all the bacteria.  put the old filter in with the new one (set the old filter up) and a few hand fulls of the gravel...even if you put the gravel in a mesh bag to keep it from mixing in the new gravel.  Until the tank has cycled.  then you will go thru a mini cycle for the new filter and gravel to catch up.

Answer 2

       I strongly recommend you add new water. You can't tell what is in the old water or how it's balanced, and you could easily make your fish sick, if not kill them. Add new water, and if you're worried about the bacteria, put in a bacterial supplement like Stress Zyme and be sure your filter media has a sponge for bacteria.

Answer 3

put new water for the fish i think it will b better for them......wud u like a dirty house...no,i dont think so...thats how the fish feel 2...so put fresh,clean water for them...gud luck!!