Will I Have To Cycle A Sponge Filter?

[Amberleaf]

Because I will need to be setting up my fry tank soon, as I don't wanna have to keep all my little platy fry in a small breeder's net, so I need to know if a sponge filter needs to be cycled.

My Mom *DOES* have an extra one, but it hasn't been USED in a while, sooooo.... Idk. I would use that, but....

This tank is a 5-gallon tank, and it's going to be used as a fry tank. Now, I'm assuming that sponge filters *do* need to be cycled? If so, I have some questions to ask:

1) Can I just put the filter in another fish tank that is already cycled? How long will it take for the new filter to cycle? Should I add some stuffz from the already-cycled filter? I'm confused.

And 2) If that didn't make sense, how can I cycle a tank *quickly*? Because my female seems *pretty* close to giving birth; 2 weeks at the latest.

EDIT: Oh, yeah! I just realized; the main tank (it's a 10-gallon) has been cycled *PROBABLY* since the beginning of August.... Idk if THAT will help my case, but.... Y'know. Meh. )

 

[Tolak]

How long has the main tank been running, what do you have for substrate, and what make & model of filter are you running?

 

[Amberleaf]

Umm, I set up the tank in the beginning of July 2009, but it only finished cycling in, like, early August; if substrate is that stuff on the bottom of the tank (like gravel or rocks) then I am using gravel, and make and model of the filter? Hmm, not sure. Let me go check.... I looked on the top and it said Tetra PF10, if that helps?

 

[Tolak]

Best bet is to run the sponge filter in the cycled tank as long as possible before using it in the fry tank. It should be fine for a fry tank in about 3 weeks. If you need it before then, take some gravel from the top 1/4" or so out of the cycled tank, and pile it on top of the sponge filter. This in itself is often enough nitrifying bacteria for a fry tank, but if you can run the sponge filter in a cycled tank it will work with no problem.

 

[Amberleaf]

Okay.... So, basically, I just need to set up the sponge filter in the mature tank, and then it should work after a few weeks?

If my fish gives birth before then, the fry should be fine for a little bit without a filter, I'm assuming; so....