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would I go through nitrogen cycle if adding bio bacteria, established spong filter to my new fresh w2007-11-24 23:44:35

how long would it take to finish the nitrogine cycle,its been 4 days and no sign of amonia ,remember I aded 2 gold fish 3 days ago

Answers:

If you add an established sponge then it should cycle within days as long as the tank that you got it from has enough beneficial bacteria to convert the ammonia and nitrite in the new tank. Goldfish produce a lot more ammonia then most fish though so it may not cycle right away and have to build up even more beneficial bacteria. But it should convert enough so the levels shouldn't get deadly as long as the tank isn't overstocked.

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If you added bacteria AND have an established filter. (that will also have bacteria.) then they already processed all the ammonia鈥?you're nitrogen cycle is in full swing!

Ammonia is the first step in the cycle, and most dangerous to the fish. You add the nitrifying bacteria (nicely done) which will then produce nitrites and eventually nitrates, which are the least harmful. Eventually those nitrates will build up and become toxic to the fish which is why water changes are needed.

Since your ammonia is low/non-existent with fish already living in there for a few days, sounds like you're right on track for a healthy tank.

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I'm not sure I understand what you are asking, but even the most aggressive cycling schedule requires at least 2 weeks. You need to monitor the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. As the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate are completely different. It possible to have no detectable ammonia levels, and lethal nitrite levels.

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Seeding a tank, which is what the method you're describing is called, will greatly abbreviate the cycle (instantly to within a couple of weeks) as opposed to cycling from scratch (6+ weeks).

The actual amount of time it takes depends on the bio-load that the established sponge filter originally supported and the bio-load of the new tank, among other factors.

Get a test kit and test ammonia and nitrite daily. When both are at zero and your nitrate is accumulating, then your tank is cycled.