i have a ten that had been running since september and i put a sponge filter in to it so i could get beneficial bacteria. i am planning on taking out the the original filter to put in my new tank. if i wanted the sponge to stay in the original tank, how long would i have to wait before benificial bacteria are residing in the new filter so the fish can survive withour being posoned?
how long should i wait
- Thread starter loucas6290
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If you are taking an established sponge filled with bacteria from an active tank and adding it to a new uncycled tank you should add new fish as soon as possible, even at the same time. Just make sure the water is fresh, dechlorinated and up to temp and all other params, acclimate the new fish slowly to the new water and enjoy.
If you wait too long the bacteria on the sponge will start to die off as it lacks a food source, within 24 hours most will probably be dead. But I would suggest adding small amounts of fish at a time and not a full stocking load. The sponge will have lots of bacteria but the rest of the tank will have none and there could be aa ammonia spike. Add a few fish to the tank right away. Wait at least a week, testing for ammonia and nitrite spikes (do water changes if needed) and if there is no ammonia showing up you can add a few more fish. Doing it slowly will help to eliminate any harmful spikes and those you do get will be small and easy to deal with.
If you wait too long the bacteria on the sponge will start to die off as it lacks a food source, within 24 hours most will probably be dead. But I would suggest adding small amounts of fish at a time and not a full stocking load. The sponge will have lots of bacteria but the rest of the tank will have none and there could be aa ammonia spike. Add a few fish to the tank right away. Wait at least a week, testing for ammonia and nitrite spikes (do water changes if needed) and if there is no ammonia showing up you can add a few more fish. Doing it slowly will help to eliminate any harmful spikes and those you do get will be small and easy to deal with.
no i am taking an unestablished sponge and putting it in an established tank so i can remove the good filter and put it in my new show tank, i just wanted to know how long will i have to wait before i can take out the regular filter and leave the new sponge in without worrying about my fish and spikes of chemicals in the water. its been in since ten oclock this morning, so i was wondering if i could take the filter out tonight
Your regular tank should be fine. There is still a lot of good bacteria in the substrate, on decorations and plants, the tank itself and any surface. Good water flow at this time is a must but you shouldn't be too bad off and any spike should be relatively small as long as you aren't too overstocked.
You might want to do an extra water change this week just to be safe.
You might want to do an extra water change this week just to be safe.