Trying to understand cycling sponge filters

Trying to understand cycling sponge filters and have been finding different answers all over the internet. My first question is, can I seed a sponge filter that I plan to use for a quarantine tank by putting it in my main display tank for 5 weeks without an air pump running to it? It would be a double sponge filter that sticks to the side with suction cups, only meant for a 10gallon. My second question is, some people say to just clean bio media in tank water and let the sponge filter run in that water? Could I take lets say a bucket of tank water and clean my HOB filter biomax and sponges in that water and let the new sponge filter run in that to cycle?

 

1. No, you need to have an airpump attached for the BB to colonize and grow. The airpump allows the water to pulled into sponge filter giving your BB some food.

I currently have the same sponge filter in my main tank, I've attached the airpump to it so when I need it I have a spare seeded filter.

2. No, just allowing the sponge filter to run a bucket filled with all tank water and old filter debris will not seed the sponge filter. It still needs a food source to grow and colonize.

 

1. No, you need to have an airpump attached for the BB to colonize and grow. The airpump allows the water to pulled into sponge filter giving your BB some food.

I currently have the same sponge filter in my main tank, I've attached the airpump to it so when I need it I have a spare seeded filter.

2. No, just allowing the sponge filter to run a bucket filled with all tank water and old filter debris will not seed the sponge filter. It still needs a food source to grow and colonize.

Awesome, thank you for the quick reply I haven't found an answer to either of these and you did it in 10 minutes! Much appreciated. Would 4-5 weeks of letting it run be sufficient?

 

I use my sponge filter for a QT. When I started it I just put the filter in the tank connected to the air hose and let it sit there a few weeks. When I need it I just pull that sucker out and plop it into the QT, with the air hose.

 

Awesome, thank you for the quick reply I haven't found an answer to either of these and you did it in 10 minutes! Much appreciated. Would 4-5 weeks of letting it run be sufficient?

4-5 weeks is fine

 

4-5 weeks is fine

I use my sponge filter for a QT. When I started it I just put the filter in the tank connected to the air hose and let it sit there a few weeks. When I need it I just pull that sucker out and plop it into the QT, with the air hose.

Thank you both!