2 Media Sponges...?!?!?

[dzsigmond217]

I was checking out a friends tank which is going through a fishless cycle and noticed he had 2 sponges in his filter instead of the one. Will this be a problem or effect the tanks cycling process?
Thanks Dianne!

 

[st24rsap]

what type of filter is it and what colour are the sponges. most filters have at least 2 sponges but can have lots more from fine to course. most of my tanks have between 3 & 5 sponges in the filters

 

[raptorrex]

I was checking out a friends tank which is going through a fishless cycle and noticed he had 2 sponges in his filter instead of the one. Will this be a problem or effect the tanks cycling process?
Thanks Dianne!

as st24rsap says, though i remain unconvinced as to the need for two different types of bio sponge. the best thing about having more than one is when you clean the filter. it allows you to clean one bit at a time, reducing the loss of bacteria.

 

[dzsigmond217]

Oh..ok. The filter is a HOB (hanging) Whisper 40. There is a thicker black sponge in its own casing and then a thin blue sponge that is clipped into a casing where the disposable filter is. I dont know if there is any specific name for these sponges. So what your saying is that the fact that there is 2 sponges wont effect the cycling process and filtration.. Ok then..thanks!! Dianne

 

[Rooster]

The two sponges will be differing densities.... theory being, the looser one (more air holes !) will house the bacteria and the finer one will stop the smaller particles from re-entering the tank.
Point is, have the bacteria actually read the theory/manual ? Of course not, they will setup home everywhere (if they are allowed) so its all a bit of a gimmick, best you can hope for is that the coarser foam traps the big particals, and prevents the finer sponge from clogging so quickly !

So in short, NO it makes no difference to the cycle.