Seeded Sponge ?

[b0bab0ey]

This is what I have to work with at the moment: 20 gal QT, AC 50 power filter w/a sponge that has been seeding in my DT sump for 2-3 months now (I plan on also using an AC 70 power filter for circulation purposes but the sponge will not be seeded)

What I'd like to QT in it: My LFS has 2 small Maroon Clowns & a med sized CB Angel on sale

Opinions? Can my QT handle this bio-load?

 

[MrTuskfish]

A seeded AC-50 sponge should work just fine. As a back-up; I'd put the AC sponge and ceramic rings (if you have them) in the DT sump and just use the filter for circulation. That will seed much faster there and you don't need the extra mechanical filtration in the QT. I've used AC-70 sponges in my 55 QT for years without failure. Rarely, I hear this doesn't work for some folks, I can't imagine why. When I first started keeping SW fish, my only bio-filtration was a AC sponge and it always kept ammonia at bay. Everything should be made like AC filters; prior to Katrina, I had a few that ran non-stop for at least 20 years without even an impeller change.

 

[b0bab0ey]

A seeded AC-50 sponge should work just fine. As a back-up; I'd put the AC sponge and ceramic rings (if you have them) in the DT sump and just use the filter for circulation. That will seed much faster there and you don't need the extra mechanical filtration in the QT. I've used AC-70 sponges in my 55 QT for years without failure. Rarely, I hear this doesn't work for some folks, I can't imagine why. When I first started keeping SW fish, my only bio-filtration was a AC sponge and it always kept ammonia at bay. Everything should be made like AC filters; prior to Katrina, I had a few that ran non-stop for at least 20 years without even an impeller change.

Thanks! I was hoping you'd chime in! You're the seeded sponge master! :spin1:

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks! I was hoping you'd chime in! You're the seeded sponge master! :spin1:

I'll get a sweatshirt to proclaim it! ("Seeded Sponge" sounds like a way to sabotage an old type of birth control, as was in the Seinfeld classic "sponge-worthy".)

I once put about 40 1" Bartletts Anthias in a 55 gal QT with 2 seeded AC-70 filters; no ammonia at all.

BTW, any thoughts on seeding the little noodles that come with ACs now? I never use them, just out of habit, but they couldn't hurt. There is a lot of other media that could be used, bio-balls, etc., but AC sponges really have a tremendous surface area for something that is intended as a mech filter. They worked great as an ammonia bio-filter long before they added the noodles.

 

[b0bab0ey]

BTW, any thoughts on seeding the little noodles that come with ACs now? I never use them, just out of habit, but they couldn't hurt. There is a lot of other media that could be used, bio-balls, etc., but AC sponges really have a tremendous surface area for something that is intended as a mech filter. They worked great as an ammonia bio-filter long before they added the noodles.

Ya know, I don't think I have any of the noodles left. Probably got lost in the move. But, sure, you could get bacteria going on those and use them for biological filtration. They would eventually turn into nitrate factories (like bio-balls) so I wouldn't leave them in the sump of the DT for too long.

Ya know, after 30+ yrs in this hobby I feel kinda stupid for not thinking of seeding a sponge for biological filtration. My dad said he's never heard of it either and he's been doing it even longer. Where did you first hear about it? Did you read about it somewhere or figure it out on your own? If so, you should patent it!!! :beer: