Comment by Toan Pham on December 11, 2013 at 11:14pm

Hello my other half,

Reused substrate will hold onto bacteria as long as it's kept moist, and if you're re-using old filter media it should help your cycle even faster. I wouldn't bet my money on any "Instant cycle" theory mumbo jumbo. So, it'll be best to wait at least a couple of weeks. Buy an ammonia test kit to be sure. Highly recommend investing in test kits

Comment by Toan ngo on December 12, 2013 at 12:14am

Oo, thanks for the help.

Comment by Toan ngo on December 12, 2013 at 2:34pm

I just bought Mexican pottery red clay. Do I just put it in there ?

Comment by Toan Pham on December 12, 2013 at 6:35pm

Red clay is only good for supplementing iron. There's sufficient macro and micro nutrients. I'd recommend you spend the extra buck on a name brand aquarium plant substrateand return the red clay. Because even tho dirt can supply a lot of the needed nutrients for healthy plant growth. It is incredibly messy, and you'll have to be extra careful when rearranging the aquarium or doing maintenance. Because any disturbance in the substrate can leech nutrients and sulfur bubbles into the water column. Which is never good and can cause an algae outbreak. Again, save yourself the headache and buy a plant substrate meant for aquariums! You won't regret it

Comment by Toan Pham on December 12, 2013 at 6:36pm

There's NOT sufficient macro and micro nutrients. ** 

Typo

Comment by George Barrett on December 13, 2013 at 5:56pm

if you have another tank that is cycled that you can put your fish into until the dirt process is over that would be best. as far as how long depends on a few things like how much dirt and how many gallons. the used filter will help things along but there is a lot of ammonia in the first couple weeks so I also would highly recommend the ammonia kit if not the full kit. watch dustins fishtank videos on you tube they are a great place to start. if you have sensitive fish definitely move them for the time being. red clay is cheaper than laterite and does the same thing but that's only of you plan on having red plants. plan you r tank out to a t before you start doing anything is the best advice 2nd would be to watch all of dustins videos 3rd would be get a test kit if you don't already have them. they are on sale at foster and smiths right now for cheap 16 bucks I think for the freshwater master test kit well worth it will save lives

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