mlinden84

I just got my new sponge filter in the mail. I will be using it in my old 20 gallon tank that can't be filled all the way due to a leaky trim at the top of the tank (thats why i got the sponge filter, because I can use it even if the tank isn't completely full... with the power filters it gets way too noisy!)

Anyways... my question is... how long does it take for the good bacteria to get on the sponges? The tank has the same substrate as before, but nothing else, so I know it will go through at least a mini cycle. I wanted to help this out a little by putting the sponges in my 55 gallon tank to get good bacteria. The question is, how long do I keep the sponges in the other tank?

Also, if anyone has any advice about sponge filters I would greatly appreciate it... I've never used them before.

COBettaCouple

I'd leave them in for a week or two. What model/type is your sponge filter? We have used 2 different kinds, 1 bought off DFS and 1 custom built locally.

mlinden84

I don't know what type/model it is... but its got 2 different sponges, then the tube in the middle of those (so there are 4 total sponges, since each main tube has 2 sponges on it) LoL if that makes any sense! (there are some on the dfs website... its the one that has more than 1 sponge)

I was hoping you'd say "oh yeah the bacteria will be on in a few hours" lol im so impatient.

COBettaCouple

We have 1 like that, only 1 sponge. I think it basically uses the air to suck water into it through the sponge.

mlinden84

Yup sounds right (as far as I can see)

I am planning on using this and possibly an internal filter (like the whisper 10i type) for my 20 gallon tank since I can no longer fill it all the way (top trim is cracked and leaks) and I figured these would be perfect for a betta since they don't have a really strong current.