Cycling Question

Ok, I got a good question... need to know if anyone has done this.... I have a tank that is cycled and only has water, HOB, and a heater in it.... Thats it, no substrate, no nothing..... I want to switch to a sponge filter, and dont have any that are already cycled that I can pull away.... So i got a new sponge.... Like I said, the water is perfect right now, Nitrate 10ppm, 0 nitrite, 0 ammonia.... but if I change to a new sponge and remove the HOB will i have a spike????? cause there will be no beneficial bacteria in the filter..... or will the already stable water be good enough??

Who has done it, who will gurrantee it, cause I dont want to do it unless I get 100% sure answer... I have my breeding apistos in there!

your going to need to run the new sponge and HOB together for a bit till the sponge becomes established and then you will be able to remove the hob with out worry

Totally, anytime you remove your BB completely like that your lookin at cycle conditions.

I agree with the above, yea you're gona have to run the sponges with the HOB for awhile until you get some BB in that sponge.

I concur with the others, but would also suggest that you wring out the HOB media onto the sponge filter after getting it wet, then place the media right back into the HOB. This will help jump-start your BB collection in the sponge filter.

I agree with all the above but I'll add that you should run your new sponge and HOB together for at least a month. When removing the HOB you're still gonna be prone to a spike cuz both filters have now leveled out on BB to sustain your stocking. It'll then take the sponge BB a bit to multiply and build up to handle the full load of the tank stocking. Just bump up your w/c using prime, watch your feedings and it should be fine.

I agree with everyone above.

Thanks for all the quick replies guys.... Im gonna keep the hob and sponge running for awhile.... i also took one of my establish sponges and kinda drained it in the new tank... hope that kicks things in a lil faster.

If u can attach it to the intake of the HOB it will help. Speed up the process of gettin the good BB. Going in the sponge and it will be a good pre pre-filter for time being

icer711 wrote:If u can attach it to the intake of the HOB it will help. Speed up the process of gettin the good BB. Going in the sponge and it will be a good pre pre-filter for time being

agreed.