How long until bacteria grow on sponge?

**ldymcbeth6** · 02-21-2008, 1:48 PM

I have an established, cycled tank. If I put a sponge in the filter to collect bacteria to use in cycling another tank, how long do I have to leave it there?

Can I leave it in there all the time and take it out to use in a QT tank when I need one?

Thanks.

**J double R** · 02-21-2008, 1:54 PM

2 weeks would be a good safe bet.

**shirlz** · 02-21-2008, 1:56 PM

Why not replace a sponge out of your established filter with a new sponge and put the used one in the new filter in the new tank

**J double R** · 02-21-2008, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by shirlz

Why not replace a sponge out of your established filter with a new sponge and put the used one in the new filter in the new tank

because then she would be removing established media from the tank, and that would cause a mini(or not so mini) cycle.

by placing the clean sponge in the established filter, you prevent any sort of cycling issues AND seed a new sponge.