Cycling With An Old Filter Sponge

[joannajane]

I've just got a new tank 260ltr Osaka and was wondering if I could use the old sponge filter to help the cycle. I have read that this will help but what I wanted to know was in my 35ltr boiube is my first tank and during the set up I had to use medicine for my platy. Now I'm wanting to keep Cardinals and shrimp in my new tank which I have read are very sensitive to anything added.

Happy to wait a few months to cycle the new tank but advise is always welcome.

Joanna

 

[backtotropical]

Hi,

Usually I'd say to use the old sponge as it will speed up the cycle, but if you are intending to keep shrimp I wouldn't advise to use the sponge if it has been exposed to copper-based medications. Even tiny amounts of copper can kill shrimp, so in this case I'd say better safe than sorry.

That said, not all medications are copper-based, and if it wasn't it should be absolutely fine. Do you know which medication you used?

Theres lots of people on here always willing to give advice on cycling too, and we always like to see another cycling diary thread where we can follow the cycle and help you along the way.

Hope that helps

BTT

 

[backtotropical]

Just for the record, I've been speaking to Joanna by Pm and the medication was Melafix which isn't copper-based.

On that basis, I'd say definitely use the old sponge as it should help the cycle considerably.

 

[Underwurlde]

Bonza advice from Mr BtT there.

Best thing for cycling a new filter is bunging in some filter media from an old cycled filer. The more sh1t, gunk, crap and crud you can get in there the better as this is the good stuff. Stinky, but good stinky.

If you do that, it will cycle in days & personally, I would be quite happy to go with adding fish now. If you don't the filter will need to be on and you will need to feed the filter using pure ammonia of course until you are happy that your new filter is cycled.

GL with that then,

Andy