I've come across some YouTube videos that show two methods for instant cycling a new aquarium using beneficial bacteria from an old sponge filter.
In the first method, you take out your old sponge filter, squeeze it in a bucket of tank water while cleaning, then grab a new sponge filter and immerse it in that same bucket of water with all the muck. You squeeze the new sponge filter several times to get the bacteria to stick, connect it to an air pump, and start it up in your new aquarium. Apparently, the beneficial bacteria will start the cycle right away.
The second method involves pouring the muck-filled water used to clean the old sponge filter into a new aquarium with fresh water and new sponge filters. The bacteria in the muck water will settle into the new sponge filter, allowing for a quick cycle.
Which method do you guys think is better?
Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Cross contamination happens when mixing living things from different sources - even water. That's why we quarantine. Mixing water from an existing tank can contaminate a new one, whether it's for fish, shrimp, snails, or even sponges.
Originally posted by SlyFox
I have seen in some youtube videos that
1) if you take out your submerged old sponge filter while cleaning it by squeezing it in a bucket of same tank water and then if you take a new sponge filter and immerse it into that bucket of water which has muck in it and squeeze the new sponge filter several times and connect that new sponge filter to airpump and start it on a new aquarium the beneficial bacteria will start the cycle immediate.
2) Another method is to pour the muck of water which was used to clean the old sponge filter into a new aquarium which has fresh water and new sponge filters and the bacteria in the muck water will settle down into new sponge filter for quick cycle. Which is a better way method 1 or 2
Cross contamination happens when mixing living things from different sources - even water. That's why we quarantine. Mixing water from an existing tank can contaminate a new one, whether it's for fish, shrimp, snails, or even sponges.
Originally posted by SlyFox
I have seen in some youtube videos that
1) if you take out your submerged old sponge filter while cleaning it by squeezing it in a bucket of same tank water and then if you take a new sponge filter and immerse it into that bucket of water which has muck in it and squeeze the new sponge filter several times and connect that new sponge filter to airpump and start it on a new aquarium the beneficial bacteria will start the cycle immediate.
2) Another method is to pour the muck of water which was used to clean the old sponge filter into a new aquarium which has fresh water and new sponge filters and the bacteria in the muck water will settle down into new sponge filter for quick cycle. Which is a better way method 1 or 2
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
I've tried this method before, and while it does give your cycle a boost, it's not an instant fix. Think of it more as a kickstart to get things moving in the right direction. I use this technique when I'm rearranging tanks in my fish room, but I always make sure to follow up with regular large water changes until the cycle is fully established.
I've tried this method before, and while it does give your cycle a boost, it's not an instant fix. Think of it more as a kickstart to get things moving in the right direction. I use this technique when I'm rearranging tanks in my fish room, but I always make sure to follow up with regular large water changes until the cycle is fully established.
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
I'm with FishNe on this one. I think it's a decent way to give the cycle a boost, but it's not a magic solution. I've tried it a few times and it does help, but I still have to do regular water changes until everything is stable.
I'm with FishNe on this one. I think it's a decent way to give the cycle a boost, but it's not a magic solution. I've tried it a few times and it does help, but I still have to do regular water changes until everything is stable.
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Thanks for the heads up on cross contamination, it's a crucial point to consider when transferring anything from an existing tank to a new one.
Thanks for the heads up on cross contamination, it's a crucial point to consider when transferring anything from an existing tank to a new one.
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
Re: Instant seeding of sponge filters with beneficial bacteria
No instant cycle with waste water - it's just not enough bacteria. You can get instant results by moving a filter from an existing tank to a new one. This works when upgrading from a smaller tank to a bigger one, just add the fish from the smaller tank and introduce new ones slowly. You can also transfer pieces of filter media from a large tank to a smaller one for a quarantine tank. Beneficial bacteria are everywhere in the tank, but most of it's in the filter. So, adding old media to a new filter in a quarantine tank with just a few fish works great. For a new tank, just add fish gradually, with a few days in between. For a quarantine tank, daily water changes are still a must - clean water is best for stressed or sick fish.
No instant cycle with waste water - it's just not enough bacteria. You can get instant results by moving a filter from an existing tank to a new one. This works when upgrading from a smaller tank to a bigger one, just add the fish from the smaller tank and introduce new ones slowly. You can also transfer pieces of filter media from a large tank to a smaller one for a quarantine tank. Beneficial bacteria are everywhere in the tank, but most of it's in the filter. So, adding old media to a new filter in a quarantine tank with just a few fish works great. For a new tank, just add fish gradually, with a few days in between. For a quarantine tank, daily water changes are still a must - clean water is best for stressed or sick fish.