seeding a sponge filter

[bgourami320]

How long would you leave a sponge filter in your main tank
to get seeded?
Would a week be enough or 2 weeks? I'd love to get my 40b going already and I still
haven't gotten a canister yet. Just not sure which one I want, probably an Eheim 2215, but I figured till then I have a sponge filter I can get it started with.

 

[iheartbettas]

I'm not sure if this would help, but maybe you could take some filter "squeezings" from your main tank filter right on the filter sponge to speed up the process.

 

[ravenpb226]

I left mine in for a week and a half, I put it in the new tank yesterday and I'll be putting some fish in today so I'll give a heads up if there's any issues


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[stephcps]

I would do a minimum of 2 weeks. You can also take some of your substrate from a cycled tank and put it in a pantyhose ( to keep it from spreading into your new substrate...but will let the bacteria out). I usually do both...substrate and a cycled sponge or media.

 

[flyinggig]

I'm not sure if this would help, but maybe you could take some filter "squeezings" from your main tank filter right on the filter sponge to speed up the process.

+1 iheartbettas
This would be a much faster method of establishing a BB colony into your new tank IMO. Squeeze them right into your new tank and let the sponge pick up all the good 'juices'. I wouldn't trust that One or two weeks would have cycled your new sponge sufficiently to handle much of a bio-load.

 

[bgourami320]

Thank you all I've never done this before, usually I have the filter already. Until I get it
I'll use a mix of what everyone said here.
stephcps, I'm going to use the gravel like you said. I guess between that and some "good juice" from
my other filter ought to do it. I'm figuring you have to put some fish in there to keep things going.
Am I thinking this right? I have some rasbora's I can put in there, which I was probably going to do anyways.

 

[stephcps]

Yes, you need to put some fish in there. What I usually do is put a few in, check parameters for a few days if all looks good, then slowly start adding your other stock. Watch your params, but if you go slow you should be fine.

 

[bgourami320]

Yes, you need to put some fish in there. What I usually do is put a few in, check parameters for a few days if all looks good, then slowly start adding your other stock. Watch your params, but if you go slow you should be fine.

Awsome thank you!