HOB filter in QT

[Cflip]

I’ll be using a seeded sponge from my DT in my HOB filter is that all that is needed or do I need the ceramic biomedia as well? Or basically anything else in the filter besides the sponge?

 

[NanoCrazed]

Straight QT, no meds -- add ceramic and carbon pack. (The ceramic media is only if you are running tank continuously, as stand by... otherwise just seeded sponge and carbon)

With meds, take out carbon...

 

[Big G]

I've done both with my aquaclear HOB: just seeded sponge, and seeded sponge with seeded ceramic media (Fluval). With a low bio-load, the sponge only is fine; right now I have a little bit higher bio-load in the tank with 6 fish in a 20 qt with seeded sponge and seeded ceramic media. The condition of the tank water is much better with the sponge and ceramic. So perhaps you may want to consider the potential bio-load of either numbers of fish or if the fish are known poop/pee factories like tangs, and adjust your filter as needed. Hope this helps. Good luck with your QT.

 

[JoshKReef]

Does ceramic absorb copper?

 

[Big G]

Does ceramic absorb copper?

That's the question Humblefish has been studying. Here's a link to the thread: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/seachem-matrix-for-qt-use.363132/#post-4496705

 

[NanoCrazed]

The ceramic rings are really there to serve the function of LR. it's a porous media that fosters bacterial growth and allows them to do their thing.

The sponge does the same thing except it provides mechanical filtration. When you have a large load or sustained load, then adding the ceramic in helps improve how much ammonia gets converted over.

On this note, I would actually keep a pack of ceramic pellets \ biomax in your DT to see and then you can pull it out ready to go.

 

[Brien]

If you do weekly water changes like you should for a QT a sponge filter is just fine, no need for anything else.

 

[Maritimer]

Depending on what type of HOB you're using, you may be able to double-up on sponges. I've got two Aqua-Clear 110s running on a 75, with a good heavy load of fish, and each one contains two sponges - water is crystal, and ammonia is zero.

~Bruce