How long for new sponge to be ready to cycle new tank?

Okay, actually, I have a folded up dish rag in my DT collecting bacteria. I want to drop it into my 55 to help prevent a cycle. How long, presumably it was a sponge, would it take to be ready to do this? Also keep in mind "I" have a dish rag, if it makes a differance so i would need both opinons. ;D

 

Just buy some bacteria. Dr Tim's one and only bottle. You can start with dead rock and sand, add this bacteria and then add your fish and corals the same day with no cycle.

 

Sounds good but I also will be getting a lot of fish over the months ahead and will need to cycle sponges one by one for copper so I would like to know how long would be safe for a fresh spong to be ready as I would not be able to use it over and would need to be ready with a new one when needed.

 

It's not this dramatic. You still need to let the tank have time to build populations. I have used the product and it's very good. But don't go trying to add a full bioload all at once or you will be sorely disappointed. You need to build any bio-filter slowly. Fish a week. To let the populations build up to the new bio load. This is true of any age tank or cycle method.

 

Thats why I say I am going to be adding over months and months, so I can slowly add fish. If I throw a sponge or towel (spong preferably but have towels at the ready), how long does it take to be able to use them?

 

If you do it like grim guy said, there's no need for the sponges, just add your livestock slowly at least a week in between, and you're fine.