adding old sponge

JVH · Jul 15, 2015

To help with my cycle, I will be adding 20g of established tank water and and some rock.
I was thinking I would add the bacteria filled sponge from my HOB into the sump.
Good idea? bad idea?

brandon429 · Jul 15, 2015

Good idea

anything you transfer over will vector the bacteria, including old tank water, it has tons of nitrifiers associated with floc and other suspended aggregates.

JVH · Jul 15, 2015

brandon429 said:
Good idea

anything you transfer over will vector the bacteria, including old tank water, it has tons of nitrifiers associated with floc and other suspended aggregates.

Good! UI basically knew that but was unclear if the sponge could bring some unwanted things..

brandon429 · Jul 15, 2015

algae and various rascals can hitchhike in on them, but not anything different from rocks or the water as well. IMO its all pretty equal, and the sponge w have the most density of nitrifiers from being in a darker and concentrated place of flow and food trapped there. good plan

JVH · Jul 15, 2015

Yay! I like when people agree with me.

Then I feel better about my plan.

eric3316 · Jul 15, 2015

I would rinse the sponge in clean saltwater first to remove any waste that is on it.

JVH · Jul 15, 2015

eric3316 said:
I would rinse the sponge in clean saltwater first to remove any waste that is on it.

Yes eric, I will do that! What type of heater d you have? anything other than those basic stick heaters?

JVH · Jul 15, 2015

I am practicing some aqua scapes for the new set up I have a pretty smooth rock that I have on top that for some reason I just now realize that now is shaped like a fish! LOL does it look stupid on the top of the rock work?