Second filter for eventual quarantine

On my current qt (about 7 gallons, using sterlite container inside another sterlite container for support) I'm using a small sponge filter that is rated for up to 20 but it doesn't seem to be doing much. For the next round of quarantine I'd like to get a small but good hob.

My main tank is a 20g currently running a modified penguin 150 (sponge and matrix inside). If I got a second but smaller hob to use on my main tank but then pull off when I needed it for quarantine would that:

- be too much for my main tank?
- cause a cycle crash in my main tank if I pulled it off for the qt?

Thanks

 

I would take the sponge out of the filter and put it in the qt tank, then that shouldnt make the cycle crash but if you were to take the filter off and put it on the qt tank i think. It would crash the cycle

 

Id stick with a sponge filter for quarantine. Generally the QT tank will also be used for hospital tank and the sick fish will not likely do well being blown around from the flow of a hob in a 7 gallon.
A QT tank isn't a long term holding tank and a sponge should be sufficient long enough to hold new fish for 2 weeks until they can be moved to the main tank.
As far as causing the cycle to crash thats not likely but you could experience a bacteria bloom due to beneficial bacteria mostly growing and living in your main filter, you then add this new filter and some starts growing there.
The tank will only grow enough bacteria for your current bio load regardless if its in 1 filter or 2. By removing the 2nd filter for your qt tank you may take 1/8 of it out or 1/2 of it causing a bloom giving you cloudy water.

If its something your wanting you can always give it a shot and change if need to.

 

Ok thanks for the replies. I think I have the sponge filter set up correctly (not exactly complex) but I just don't see how it is working as a filter. It doesn't seem to pull any material (food, waste) onto the sponge.

The prefilter sponge I put on the intake for my main tank hob filter works great, pulls lots of gross stuff onto it.

 

The sponge filter isn’t a mechanical filter, only a biological filter. You’ll have to clean the qt tank mechanically during water changes. A gravel vac works great for that, and it’s quick with no substrate.

 

Ok thanks for the replies. I think I have the sponge filter set up correctly (not exactly complex) but I just don't see how it is working as a filter. It doesn't seem to pull any material (food, waste) onto the sponge.

The prefilter sponge I put on the intake for my main tank hob filter works great, pulls lots of gross stuff onto it.

I was going to type out how to set one up, its best to use an air stone in it, you can youtube setting up sponge filters, there are different types, I like the ones from aquarium co op. Its mechanical and biological, air in the filter tube creates lift in the water pulling water from the tank through the filter and up to surface, its vertical and amount depends on size of the air pump. Its not going to be as extreme as a hob due to amount of flow in tank.

 

You should get some mechanical filtration with a sponge filter, but it won't be as much as a hob. If you're not seeing much from yours you may need a stronger air pump. That can make a big difference.

 

Thanks all. I'm using the small caf-10 but also included a sponge and small bag of matrix from my main tank. Not sure if I can mod the caf-10 with an air stone but I do have an extra one that came with the air pump.

I mechanically clean the qt and by mechanical I mean scoop poop and uneaten food (I don't feed much) with a net during water changes.

 

This sounds stupid but I think I solved my problem. I moved the filter to the middle of the tank and it seems to be trapping a bit more material. I had it tucked into a corner.