Seeding New Sponge Filter

[Shaddex]

I have a sponge filter. Iv recently bought a eheim 2010 internal filter. How would i Transfer the bacteria from the sponge filter to the new filter? Would i cut peices of the sponge up an put it in with the sponge in the internal filter? And if so how long would i have to leave the sponge filter in the tank with the internal filter before i can remove the sponge filter? Hope this makes sense

 
If you put all your Mature sponge filter material into your new internal filter you will not have to wait at all.  Insta Cycle.

 

[Dubfellas]

Can i just put some of the sponge in with the new filter and when its seeded remove it becuase when it comes to cleaning the new filter out, if i have to use the old sponge, il av to cut it into lots of small pieces to fit it in to the new filter and when it comes times to clean it it will be a nightmare

 

[Mamashack]

Have just discovered that the filter arriving with the "new" (2nd hand) 60L aquarium is a clip-on Marina power filter whereas my existing filter is an underwater Fluval U1. If I have the old filter in the new tank, will it be sufficient immediately and will bacteria migrate to the clip-on one or will I have to try fishless cycling before transferring the fish? To be honest I'd like to do it the quickest way possible without compromising the fish I already have - 2 adult platies and 5 fry (3-8 weeks old).
Also what's the best way to clean the "new" tank? It's supposed to have been cleaned but I just want to be on the safe side.
Cheers

 

[Shaddex]

Putting you old filter in the tank will be fine with the same bio load . Your new filter will take a while to populate with the beneficial bacteria and your bacteria will split between the 2 filters. So when you take out the old one you will need to pay attention to you test levels of ammonia and nitrite while the filter takes up the load.

Clean old tank with water. No need for anything special.
Just make sure you use de chlorinator when adding water when you fill tank.

 

[Mamashack]

Thanks Shaddex. I'll do as you suggest. I always dechlorinate the replacement water and with a growing family of 5 fry (possibly more soon as mum seems to be quite fertile!!) I test the water weekly for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH and do pwc accordingly. I have been wondering would it be a good idea to use ½-strength Myxazin (fry) in the new tank as if adding new fish? I know it's new tank rather than new fish or am I being too cautious?
My existing Fluval filter is good up to 55L according to the manufacturer and the new tank is 60L altho it could possibly be less than that when the gravel and plants go in. Would it cope on its own? I may well continue to run them both - at least until I am confident with the new filter which is a completely different style than I'm used to. Regarding the Marina power filter is it really necessary to change the cartridges so frequently? If so which ones are best for temperate fish (platies) and is there an alternative to the cartridges which if used as recommended sounds like it could be quite expensive even if buying on Amazon or Ebay.
Sorry lots of questions there - any help would be appreciated.
Many thanks

 

[Shaddex]

Ive never used meds for Fry, other than Meth Blue for egg layers,
 
Changing the "Cartridge" I assume means there is removable filter media..  If so, Dont remove it.  Its just the manufactures way to make you spend money.
Why would you spend time populating your filter media with beneficial bacteria to just throw it in the bin and start your cycle over again ?
 
The only media you would need to replace is the Active Carbon media, as I believe this can "Run out".

 

[Mamashack]

Cheers Shaddex
Apparently there's room for 3 cartridges in the Marina filter and they recommend changing 1-2 every 3-5 weeks which even at 1 every 5 weeks is going to add up over the year and as you say reduce the friendly bacterial content every time. I have never used carbon filters before as I understand they are used for removing meds after treatment period. I think I'll try my Fluval alone to see if it will be enough on it's own and check the water quality frequently until the new tank has settled and probably keep the Marina as back-up.
Thanks again!

 

[Mamashack]

Have just been looking at an old thread on this site about replacing the cartridges in a Marina power filter with a sponge filter medium and have found sheets of it on Ebay, but there's coarse, medium and fine available. Which would be best, if any? Have to say this appeals more than the cartridges and maybe with the Fluval doing the bulk of the work to begin with, I could get the Marina one to colonise too.
Sorry! I realse I'm dithering, but I've never swapped from one tank to another and don't want to compromise my existing fish by doing the wrong thing

 

[fluttermoth]

I would go for a coarse one; it'll be slower to block. If you do find you need something to 'polish' the water, you can always add a layer of floss, which you can replace.

 

[Mamashack]

I would go for a coarse one; it'll be slower to block. If you do find you need something to 'polish' the water, you can always add a layer of floss, which you can replace.

 
Thanks, Fluttermoth. Marina tank is arriving later this afternoon. Will be checking it out for leaks and crossing my fingers there won't be any! Am hoping that being twice the size of my current tank will mean I'm not having to do pwc's every 5 days due to growing fry. Am planning to do frequent water quality tests until it's properly established.
Any other helpful hints about swapping fish from one tank to a larger one would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mamashack]

Well the "new" tank has been set up with my existing Fluval filter so hopefully the bacteria will be able to cope since it's the same bioload even tho the water quantity is double what it was before. Am hoping I don't need the Marina one as the aquarium lid wouldn't have fit properly on top of it.
 
Am also using my existing 25w heater as the "new" one looks like guesswork whereas on my own one you can see what temeperature it's supposed to be and check it with a thermometer and so far so good. I guess when I check the temperature tomorrow morning it will be more indicative of whether this heater will be sufficient. To be honest, I only recently got a heater when the freezing weather started as the light alone seemed to keep the Aqua One 320 warm enough.
 
Catching the fish was quite stressful for the fish and hence for me too! Tried both the net and the cup method, but neither seemed less stressful than the other. Anyway they are all transferred now and altho mum and the smaller fry hid for ages they have now ventured out and are exploring their new home.
 
Thanks to everyone to gave their advice 

  and sorry for hijacking your topic Supershamus!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

In terms of sponge selection. Coarser pored sponges are better when some mechanical filtration is wanted/needed. A coarse sponge will not clog as fast. However, it will also have less surface area for the bacteria to colonize. Always use coarse sponge for pre-filtering applications. For bio-media use a more finely pored sponge. The water should go through some form of mechanical media before going though a finer pored sponge which can clog easier.
 
My typical loading for my aquaclears is coarse sponge, layer of filter floss, fine sponge.

 

[Mamashack]

In terms of sponge selection. Coarser pored sponges are better when some mechanical filtration is wanted/needed. A coarse sponge will not clog as fast. However, it will also have less surface area for the bacteria to colonize. Always use coarse sponge for pre-filtering applications. For bio-media use a more finely pored sponge. The water should go through some form of mechanical media before going though a finer pored sponge which can clog easier.
 
My typical loading for my aquaclears is coarse sponge, layer of filter floss, fine sponge.

 
Thanks TwoTankAmin I'll make a note of that for future reference