URGENT HELP PLEASE

[Joey waid]

Both will absorb copper, but the rock will do the most. The sand is there for critters than need it to feel comfortable or to sleep in. using a small container with a small amount can keep it contained, letting the QT be cleaned easier while not absorbing much copper at the same time.

I ment sponge and rock.

 

[Joey waid]

All my qt tanks have rock and some sand along with ceramic media. Once the levels are stable they stay stable at least as far as I can tell.

 

[melypr1985]

I ment sponge and rock.

Ok. Let me see if I can explain this a little better. Rock and sand will absorb copper. If your rock isn't absorbing copper anymore, then it is probably saturated with copper at this point. The sponge will not absorb copper or any other medications so it's the best method of holding bacteria in the filter. The rock used in a QT with copper then becomes basically useless for a regular tank again since it can then leach copper for some time after. It's possible to pull the copper out over time but it takes a while and inverts and corals shouldn't be in the tank at the same time.

 

[Joey waid]

Ok. Let me see if I can explain this a little better. Rock and sand will absorb copper. If your rock isn't absorbing copper anymore, then it is probably saturated with copper at this point. The sponge will not absorb copper or any other medications so it's the best method of holding bacteria in the filter. The rock used in a QT with copper then becomes basically useless for a regular tank again since it can then leach copper for some time after. It's possible to pull the copper out over time but it takes a while and inverts and corals shouldn't be in the tank at the same time.

Understand, all are qt tanks for fish will never have corals or inverts. I was not aware that sponge would not suck up meds. If I would have known, I would have went that route. Thanks...

 

[Humblefish]

Understand, all are qt tanks for fish will never have corals or inverts. I was not aware that sponge would not suck up meds. If I would have known, I would have went that route. Thanks...

Technically speaking, a sponge will absorb a very small amount of copper and other medications. But it is inconsequential especially compared to rock & sand.

 

[Joey waid]

Technically speaking, a sponge will absorb a very small amount of copper and other medications. But it is inconsequential especially compared to rock & sand.

I guess it's to late to turn back now. Maybe one day I'll swap them all over. Thanks!!

 

[Mr_Banana_Pants]

What do you guys mean by using a sponge? Do you mean like filter floss? I figured with these rocks I was gonna use them as fish only or keep in qt after? Wouldn't ceramic media have the same problem?

 

[Joey waid]

What do you guys mean by using a sponge? Do you mean like filter floss? I figured with these rocks I was gonna use them as fish only or keep in qt after? Wouldn't ceramic media have the same problem?

It's a sponge for growing bacteria instead of your live rock.

 

[Mr_Banana_Pants]

I have 2 sponge filters, but I didn't think they would be enough

 

[Joey waid]

I have 2 sponge filters, but I didn't think they would be enough

They are not filters. Their only purpose is to grow bacteria. You put it in a sump or bottom of your tank. The stuff I'm talking about anyways, it's tan. I was looking at biosponge and it all looks like filter media to me.

 

[melypr1985]

They are not filters. Their only purpose is to grow bacteria. You put it in a sump or bottom of your tank.

Actually they are filters. They only work when in direct flow. The bacteria needs water to flow through the sponge it's living on to be of any use. You can't just place them in the bottom of your tank and get any real results.

 

[Humblefish]

What do you guys mean by using a sponge? Do you mean like filter floss? I figured with these rocks I was gonna use them as fish only or keep in qt after? Wouldn't ceramic media have the same problem?

When the below sponge is "seeded" with live bacteria, it becomes effective bio-media (for breaking down ammonia) once placed in a HOB powerfilter.

 

[melypr1985]

I have 2 sponge filters, but I didn't think they would be enough

If they are simple sponge filters they might not be enough. A hang on back power filter with sponge in the back would probably be fine as long as it's rated for a little larger than your QT size.

 

[Joey waid]

Actually they are filters. They only work when in direct flow. The bacteria needs water to flow through the sponge it's living on to be of any use. You can't just place them in the bottom of your tank and get any real results.

I have the exact same filter in humbles post it came with ceramic tubes,charcoal and that filter pad. Why would you have that if you going to wash it out and still use ceramic?

 

[melypr1985]

I have the exact same filter in humbles post it came with ceramic tubes,charcoal and that filter pad. Why would you have that if you going to wash it out and still use ceramic?

I never said to use ceramic. You would gut any HOB filter and replace all media with a simple sponge so that the water can flow through it making the biofilter effective and not drawing the meds out of the water at the same time.

 

[Joey waid]

This whole time I thought you were talking about bio media blocks.

 

[Joey waid]

I never said to use ceramic. You would gut any HOB filter and replace all media with a simple sponge so that the water can flow through it making the biofilter effective and not drawing the meds out of the water at the same time.

To me it defeats the purpose of the sponge on taking out the particles in the water then you wash it and there goes the bacteria.

 

[Humblefish]

I have the exact same filter in humbles post it came with ceramic tubes,charcoal and that filter pad. Why would you have that if you going to wash it out and still use ceramic?

Throw away the ceramic tubes and carbon; all you need is the sponge. If you do find yourself needing carbon (to remove meds) then buy some Rox 0.8 from BRS and put it in a media bag. Or I just steal my wife's pantyhose. I think she calls them knee highs.

 

[Humblefish]

Needs to be BRAND NEW knee highs (very important).

 

[Joey waid]

Throw away the ceramic tubes and carbon; all you need is the sponge. If you do find yourself needing carbon (to remove meds) then buy some Rox 0.8 from BRS and put it in a media bag. Or I just steal my wife's pantyhose. I think she calls them knee highs.

Believe me I understand, what I don't understand is the sponge is not big enough or porous enough to hold enough bacteria for any thing bigger than a ten gallon. He has a thirty. I have to do daily water changes on ten gallons and I'm using rock and ceramic with no copper and only one or two fish per tank. I almost makes more sense to me to use a filter with a bio wheel if you can't use rock.