How Long Will Sponge Take To Gather Bacteria

[rowdyates]

In another thread I was on aboutsetting up a hospital/quarantine tank and how best to get it cycled. I'vetaken out one of the sponges from my new filter a Fluval 2 and it sits nicely in the top of the Juwel filter case in my main tank, so it's currently got water flowing through it and themain tank is cycled. When could I look to use this filter in a tank of it's own, a day, a week or longer, I don't want to use it thinking it will have the bacteria if it doesnt.

Thanks,

Keith

 

[IMCL85]

use test kit to test ur water if it have no sign of ammonia/nitrite and low lvl of nitrate then its pretty much cycle.

 

[anvil63]

It will probably have some bacteria within a day, but the newly established colony will be small with a very small capacity for NO2-->NO3 nitrite-->nitrate. I have used sponges that were in an established tank for two weeks with absolutely no problems. I expect that this time period could be pushed quite a bit assuming a small bioload in the new aquarium.


Carl

 

[rowdyates]

Thanks, the sponge will be for supporting either a sick fish or a few new ones so I guess a week in the "old" tank should suffice.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[freddyk]

A week is plenty. Starting a bacteria colony takes a long time, but once established it expands pretty quickly, especially if the tank is warm and well aerated.

 

[Dubby]

A week is plenty. Starting a bacteria colony takes a long time, but once established it expands pretty quickly, especially if the tank is warm and well aerated.

adding to what has been said....and has loads of food (Ammonia) to keep it going.

 

[julia298]

Im trying to do same thing as Rowdyates.

DO you just buy ammonia in ab bottle? Add it daily???

 

[Dubby]

Im trying to do same thing as Rowdyates.

DO you just buy ammonia in ab bottle? Add it daily???

These should help http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=38840
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=73365