Can I use old tank water for my new setup ?

[Leez]

I have a little bit of 20 gallons of old water from my old setup which I have taken down from March. Can I use this old water to cycle my new nano setup ? I’m asking because I have been leaving it to stay in my old sump without light and circulation for months and it has a strong smell ;Vomit. I’m thinking of using it to cycle the new tank and then do 50% water change each week after the cycle to get rid of the strong smell.

 

[Old Fritz]

It'll be gross but I don't know if there is anything in the water that is producing ammonia. I'd test it first before adding it. Also the water column has little beneficial bacteria so you won't be adding any bacteria, really just whatever nutrients are in the water

 

[Leez]

It'll be gross but I don't know if there is anything in the water that is producing ammonia. I'd test it first before adding it. Also the water column has little beneficial bacteria so you won't be adding any bacteria, really just whatever nutrients are in the water

Leave the smell aside, do you think the tank will start to cycle with some circulation and the right temp ?

 

[Old Fritz]

if there is ammonia in the water it'll start to cycle with circulation