Sponge Filters for Cycling New Tank

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First of all, thanks to the people who responded to my recent post
about a disease problem I was having in one of my tanks. My question
regarding sponge filters is this: How quickly do they establish a new
aquarium? I have read that the tank can be biologically ready for a
full load of fish within a week if a sponge filter that has been in an
established, healthy aquarium for at least 10 days or more is placed in
the new system and is not cleaned before placement in the new tank,
aside form rinsing in the existing aquarium water. I had considered
some of the "bacterial starter" products such as Cycle, but have read
many opinions that they have little, if any, effect on the time it
takes to cycle a tank. Comments? Opinions? Thanks.

[Altum]

wrote:
> First of all, thanks to the people who responded to my recent post
> about a disease problem I was having in one of my tanks. My question
> regarding sponge filters is this: How quickly do they establish a new
> aquarium? I have read that the tank can be biologically ready for a
> full load of fish within a week if a sponge filter that has been in an
> established, healthy aquarium for at least 10 days or more is placed in
> the new system and is not cleaned before placement in the new tank,
> aside form rinsing in the existing aquarium water. I had considered
> some of the "bacterial starter" products such as Cycle, but have read
> many opinions that they have little, if any, effect on the time it
> takes to cycle a tank. Comments? Opinions? Thanks.
>
Putting an sponge filter in an established, healthy aquarium is a great
way to start a new tank. Move the sponge to the new tank and add your
first few fish at the same time. I haven't gone to a full fish load in
a week, but I've certainly started tanks with no cycle that way.

Cycle is not nearly as effective as moving a bacterial colony in a
sponge. It's never worked at all for me.

--
Put the word aquaria in the subject to email me.
Did you read the FAQ? http://faq.thekrib.com

[Koi-Lo]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> First of all, thanks to the people who responded to my recent post
> about a disease problem I was having in one of my tanks. My question
> regarding sponge filters is this: How quickly do they establish a new
> aquarium?

Immediately (this goes for any ripe filter) if the fish load is low. Check
the ammonia anyway after a few hours.

I have read that the tank can be biologically ready for a
> full load of fish within a week if a sponge filter that has been in an
> established, healthy aquarium for at least 10 days or more is placed in
> the new system and is not cleaned before placement in the new tank,
> aside form rinsing in the existing aquarium water.

Don't rinse it - just move it carefully to the new tank. Start with a few
fish until the tank's filter itself can take over. Then you can remove the
sponge. Give it at least 14 days and add new fish gradually.

I had considered
> some of the "bacterial starter" products such as Cycle, but have read
> many opinions that they have little, if any, effect on the time it
> takes to cycle a tank. Comments? Opinions? Thanks.

Most people here seem to feel BioSpira is the one that really works.
--
Koi-Lo....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
Aquariums since 1952.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Aquarium FAQ are at: http://faq.thekrib.com/
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[swarvegorilla]

Yea I just rip my sponge prefilters off the cannister intakes.
Iz the way to go tho.
Throw in a tester fish see how it goes




> wrote in message
oups.com...
> First of all, thanks to the people who responded to my recent post
> about a disease problem I was having in one of my tanks. My question
> regarding sponge filters is this: How quickly do they establish a new
> aquarium? I have read that the tank can be biologically ready for a
> full load of fish within a week if a sponge filter that has been in an
> established, healthy aquarium for at least 10 days or more is placed in
> the new system and is not cleaned before placement in the new tank,
> aside form rinsing in the existing aquarium water. I had considered
> some of the "bacterial starter" products such as Cycle, but have read
> many opinions that they have little, if any, effect on the time it
> takes to cycle a tank. Comments? Opinions? Thanks.
>