atonaltheory
New member
I keep a hospital tank running at all times. I use a sponge filter. Does the sponge ever need to be replaced?
Hospital Tank Question - Sponge Filter
- Thread starter atonaltheory
- Start date
MrTuskfish
Team RC
If this is strictly a HT and never used as a QT; it shouldn't need replacing. Anything dangerous would be in both your DT & QT anyway. But sponge filters are dirt cheap and used so seldom in a HT; why take any chance? Get 2 filters, keep them in an area with good flow in your main system. Use one in a HT when needed, the tank will be instantly cycled. When done, rinse the sponge well in FW and let it dry completely (Until you need the 2nd sponge) then put the old one in your main system.
atonaltheory
New member
Sorry, not following you on this. Not sure what you mean by anything dangerous would be in my DT. This sponge has never been in my DT. It was cycled in the QT.
Ted_C
Active member
What he/she means is many of us load our sponges with bacteria by allowing them to sit in established systems. If you have some other means of biological filtration in your HT (Live rock, ceramic biomedia, etc), then you can simply replace the sponge. If you dont, you need to establish a bacteria colony on a new sponge before you replace your old sponge.
The bacteria is the only thing there to break down any food/ammonia to nitrates / nitrites.
The bacteria is the only thing there to break down any food/ammonia to nitrates / nitrites.
atonaltheory
New member
got it thanks!
Mrscribbled
Team RC
I use sponge filters and run my qt tanks all the time. Between fish additions I flush the sponge out with tank water. I use straight ammonia chloride when fish are not present to keep the bacteria established.
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