On Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:30:15 GMT, wrote:

yes, dont clean the sponge right now. there is biospira trade name for bacteria that
is added to the water to help colonize the filter.
you can add chemicals that will bind to the ammonia. forget the name. Ingrid

ChlorAm-X or Amquel are a couple brand names to bind ammonia, yet still
provide it for the bacteria to grow on. Use salt to detox the nitrite. Easy
on the water changes, not too much or you'll defeat the cycle. ~ jan
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Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us