Can I keep filter media outside of the filter?

[SABWARNER16]

I put my cycled canister filter into a new 10 gallon aquarium Yesterday and added a betta today. Of course the filter straight up died and my LFS are out of filters for 10 gallon all of a sudden. I have an uncycled sponge filter I can set up and some aqua start, but obviously I need to use the cycled filter media from the dead canister. Can I just keep them in a corner of the aquarium or something?

 

[James7]

It will at least keep the B.B. alive (as long as it’s not dried out already). It will still be able to convert ammonia and nitrite however it will not be as efficient without all of the water flowing through it so put it a high flow area if you can. The B.B. will actually be on many other surfaces in your aquarium not just the filter media.

If I see that my cherry shrimp are berried I turn off my hob filter and just use the sponge. I started off with just a hob, and later added the sponge and was in the same situation that you are explaining. Now I keep both in the tank all of the time anyway.

 

[SABWARNER16]

It will at least keep the B.B. alive (as long as it’s not dried out already). It will still be able to convert ammonia and nitrite however it will not be as efficient whiteout all of the water flowing through it so put it a high flow area if you can. The B.B. will actually be on many other surfaces in your aquarium not just the filter media.

If I see that my cherry shrimp are berried I turn off my hob filter and just use the sponge. I started off with just a hob, and later added the sponge and was in the same situation that you are explaining. Now I keep both in the tank all of the time anyway.

Thank you!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Short answer, yes, you can keep it in the tank. Beneficial bacteria needs water and oxygen to survive.