Question time...

[collegenano]

Ok so I have a question. Im setting up a 28 gallon have the live rock and sand in my tank. I mixed up about 20 gallons worth of new salt water and used about 5 gallons of water out of a 2 year tank. If i do a water change and add in some more water from the older tank will i still have a cycle????? The tank has been running for a week now.

 

[snakeblitz33]

The only thing that old water has is nitrates and phosphates... bacteria that helps your cycle along does not live free floating, but rather on surfaces of all the rock, sand, filters, and other equipment. Don't use the old water for starting a new tank.
There is going to be a sufficient amount of bacteria on your live rock that you have purchased to start your cycle. There is nothing that will speed it up. Patience my friend, patience.

 

[snakeblitz33]

People could argue about adding powdered or liquid bacteria to the water to quick cycle an aquarium, but the simple fact is that your live rock will still have dead things on it that need to decompose completely and turn into nitrate before the initial starter cycle is complete. Your aquarium is also NEVER done cycling. Things are constantly dying and you are feeding every day,... but what matters is the amount of bacteria that has built up in the system to handle day to day cycles.
Hope this helps.

 

[collegenano]

Well see i never have done the cycle them lol its always be upgrading to a bigger tank, then i had to take it down and decide after awhile to go to the smaller one. I tried the raw shrimp in the tank. I have some fish that have been fight in my grandmothers 125 that need to be moved asap.