Chris S Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 Hi I was just wondering how long it would take to seed a new sponge filter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unheatedtank Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 Easiest way: fill a bucket outdoor where have some sunlight, put some prime, dump your filter material there, leave it for a week and you are done... If you see mozzies it is time to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obeice Posted August 6, 2015 Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 API Quickstart i'm done! haha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted August 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2015 I suppose I should explain more. If I was to place a new sponge filter in an already cycled tank how long would I need to wait until I could use that filter in a new tank. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 There are so many variables that decide this question that its almost impossible to answer with a simple number. Ok so firstly what is the water temp? Secondly what microbe species are you using for bio filtration? Thirdly what is their population doubling time? Fourthly are you feeding the required nutrients to promote this growth? Fifthly what contaminant species are present that are competing for nutrients.... eg algaes or water column bacteria? Sixthly what growth supresant chemicals are present in water and what levels..... eg antibacterials produced by slime molds or aerosoled formaldehyde from old furniture....... ? And thats just a few considerations. Its best to just stress test it by adding filter to a tank with ammonia and then testing water for ammonia/nitrite later to see if it can do the duty. TL:DR -> 2 weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unheatedtank Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 For old tank, put near the light, 1 week is for me Otherwise, listen to Donny as it is safer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisandlauren Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 following this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris S Posted August 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 Thanks donny none of this I even considered. I'll just put extra filters in all my tanks so I always have seeded filters. Who knows when I turn up at home with new tanks or fish.LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny@ageofaquariums Posted August 7, 2015 Report Share Posted August 7, 2015 You can also just wrap a bit of sponge from a cycled filter around an air powered sponge filter and hold it there with a rubber band. By the time rubber band fails, microbes should have colonised sponge filter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
