Can I turn off a sponge filter at night?

I just got a sponge filter to seed for a quarantine tank. The problem is, it’s very noisy. Would I be able to turn it off at night so I can sleep since my HOB stays on?

I’m worried about bacteria being able to
colonize on it. I put it right next to (actually touching) my pre filter for my HOB, so it’s already near a flow and bacteria colony. I’m also thinking about when I actually set up my QT and have to listen to it while I try to sleep. I haven’t tried the air stone inside, there’s a stick in the middle so I can’t, and I am terrible when it comes to the commitment of permanently changing something LOL (cutting the stick out). It took me ages to cut the airline to put a t-valve in hahaha.

Also, is a 4 gallon plastic tote okay for a QT? I’m planning on a platy or some kind of small fish.

 

Thats fine for a qt. Try a towel or something to help quiet the air pump. Also, i wrote an article some tine ago about loading them with airstones!

 

The pump engine of the air stone can be loud, try hanging it up so it doesn't touch anything, or sit it on styrophome or something. If you are trying to cycle a sponge filter in your main tank to use in a quarantine tank, you can just put the sponge in the back of the H O B,

Yes you can use the 4-gallon tote as a quarantine, but you may want to cover it.

 

As a long term solution for can drive a sponge filter using a water pump.

Finding a small pump that will just slide on to the uplift hose should not be difficult for an aquarium shop. .

 

Yeah put the pump feet on sponge. Should dampen the sound. Also just pressing in the dial (depending on what pump) can limit excessive sound due to vibrations.

I can't see a problem if its turned back on in the morning. I mean we've had power outages last days right, and the sponge was good after. Just don't let the sponge dry, ever, if you intend on using it

 

Thats fine for a qt. Try a towel or something to help quiet the air pump. Also, i wrote an article some tine ago about loading them with airstones!

This summer I bought all new sponge filters and airstones, the noise level in my tank room is soo much better!