Switching Sponge Filters By Alternating

[newbettagus]

Hi... I have a well-cycled tank and am switching from a single sponge filter to a double. My plan is to run the new one maybe 6 hours, then unplug it and plug the old one back in, and continue this until the new one is fully functional. Any idea how long this would take?

Not planning to run both at the same time because this is in a 5-gallon tank with a betta. I have two air pumps and sets of tubing so it's just a matter of switching which one is plugged in.

It took about a month for the tank to cycle.

Thanks for any input. I suppose in the end, maybe a month from now, I'll have to just stop running the old one and see what the API test kit says, but some ideas would be nice.

 

[Islandvic]

Can the 2 sponge filters be stacked on top of each other?

Like this.....

Assembly for double stacked ATI Hydro Max II + III

• Islandvic
• Sep 7, 2019

An extra "bulls-eye" fitting was used to connect the HM II on top ot the HM III.

An airline was...

ATI Hydro Max II + III , double stacked

• Islandvic
• Sep 7, 2019

 

[kmbeck]

What about putting the old single sponge on one side of the double and running the double. Then when the new sponge is functional switch the old sponge out for the other sponge that came with the double.

 

[Islandvic]

I think I misinterpreted what the OP was asking.

Is the "double" is in reference to a new sponge filter that is made with 2 side-by-side sponges connected to a single source and usually attached to glass with suction cups ?

If so, my original suggestion is void.....

 

[kallililly1973]

I run 3-4 dual sponge filters and I sometimes alternate 1 of the 2 sponges to a different tank after I give it a good squeeze in old tank water.

 

[newbettagus]

Thanks so much! You guys have given me some ideas, which I haven't had the opportunity to investigate yet, but I will.

Yes, it's a forked filter with a small sponge on each of 2 towers.

 

[newbettagus]

I wonder if it would ruin the old sponge if I cut it open and wrapped it around one of the new ones.

Kind of scary but if worst came to worst I could go back to the daily water changes that were so much fun a month ago. Not so nice for Mr. Fish though.

 

[kallililly1973]

I wonder if it would ruin the old sponge if I cut it open and wrapped it around one of the new ones.

Kind of scary but if worst came to worst I could go back to the daily water changes that were so much fun a month ago. Not so nice for Mr. Fish though.

If its just a prefilter sponge and not a cartridge your referring to then you can definitely cut it in half and wrap it around a new sponge if your intentions are to get a new tank to cycle. Is that your plan?

 

[newbettagus]

Hi, thanks, no not a new tank, an old cycled tank with a single sponge filter that I want to replace with a double sponge filter. They're both in the tank now. Since it's just 5 gallons and I have a betta fish I don't think I can run them both at the same time. I was planning to run them alternately for a long time, but helpful people here have given me some ideas how I might not have to do that.

I need to go back in the tank and take out the old filter and examine it for possibilities.

 

[Islandvic]

I don't see why both sponge filters can't be run at same time.

Use a "T" fitting to split the output of the air pump to both sponge filters .

Unless you have a huge air pump, I doubt running both will create too much flow for the beta.

Raise the tubes to right at the water line, to minimize disturbance of the beta.

 

[newbettagus]

Thanks so much for the idea! I tried it--plugged both of them in--they run off of the smallest Tetra whisper air pumps. They are both in the corner with all the plants, and the double one has a spout at top that you can turn, which I turned to direct the flow to the side of the aquarium.

The added turbulence doesn't seem to disturb the fish much. I think it's mostly in that corner anyway. So as long as I'm home and awake so I can keep a watch on it, I'm going to run both of them, unless it seems to start disturbing the fish.