Emergency filter

Hello!

Due to the heavy rain where I’m from, we experienced a power outage for a few minutes. When the power went back, one of my airpumps that run the sponge filter in my tank didn’t work anymore. I have no back up airpump for that sponge filter. But i did find a brand new hob filter. That tank has been established for a couple months now. Would there be enough beneficial bacteria in the surfaces of the tank + substrate + decorations to keep it cycled?

 

Eventually the beneficial bacteria will get into the filter, but the filter is where most of the work is done to convert ammonia into nitrates. I would do frequent water changes to keep ammonia down for your fish. You can also dose seachem prime as it will detoxify ammonia for 48 hours. You can re-dose until the bacteria are established in your filter.

 

Can’t you put the sponge only inside the hob and use that as part of the filtration set up?

 

Can’t you put the sponge only inside the hob and use that as part of the filtration set up?

That's what I was thinking.

 

Can’t you put the sponge only inside the hob and use that as part of the filtration set up?

I tried to do it but the hob with overflow because the sponge filter is too big.

 

I tried to do it but the hob with overflow because the sponge filter is too big.

I'm just spitballing here, but what about having it in the inflow or outflow somehow?

 

I'm just spitballing here, but what about having it in the inflow or outflow somehow?

Yes that’s what i’m doing right now. I left the sponge filter there and it’s right beside the inflow. Do you think it’s effective enough? It’s a 20 gallon tank with 7 female bettas.

 

I would get something to tie just the sponge part from the sponge filter on the intake tube of the HOB like a prefilter. So it has water flowing through it.

 

Yes that’s what i’m doing right now. I left the sponge filter there and it’s right beside the inflow. Do you think it’s effective enough? It’s a 20 gallon tank with 7 female bettas.

I'm in no way qualified to answer yes or no to that. But, I would think that it's better than nothing.