how long before sponge is ready?

[newFishmom]

Hi, guys!

I have a Penguin mini w/biowheel and carbon and floss filter. I'm wanting to remove the carbon filter and replace w/filter sponge. (No fish yet--just finishing up fishless cycling. waiting... waiting...)

I was thinking, I have an extremely stable pond outside w/2 apparently healthy koi in it. Would it work to soak my new sponge in that water? (And maybe even get some additional good bacteria to help my new, indoor tank along?)

Q: How long would you guesstimate that would take? (To prep the new sponge, I mean.) 24 hrs? 48? a week?

(Also, is it OK to "mix mediums" like that?)

Thanks!

 

[jclif1995]

you can remove the carbon filter and replace it with the filter sponge any time. the primary bio-filtration is handled with the bio-wheel. as far as preping the sponge, i'd rinse it with tap water a couple of times to knock whatever crud there is from the process then i'd dip it in the existing tank water to dilute any residual traces of chlorine, etc. (not that there will be much to consider or worry about), then i'd place it into the filter. after that, it's all gravy baby.

 

[newFishmom]

thanks!

 

[Purple]

sweet answer jclif

(in my experience it takes at least 4 weeks to get new sponge up to scratch - even if it's seeded )

 

[newFishmom]

wow! I'm glad I checked back on this post. So, Purple, would you say I just float the new sponge in my tank for ~4 wks?

I've been fishless cycling, so I'm not sure how "bad" my existing carbon filter is. It's been in there since about July 30. Do I need to make a move NOW? (No fish yet.)

Thanks!