Donated Media Help, And I Need It Fast!

[Odysseus]

My excellent lfs had mature filter media for sale that they got right out of their filters. They gave me a block of it. Here is the picture




Do I just stick this in my power filter? It will really be squished in there because there is very little room in there with the carbon filter thing already taking most of the space up. Also, should I dump the water it came with into the tank also? How long do I keep it in the tank? I don't know if I need it long because of the bio wheel One final question. There is a blackish spot on the foam block. Do I have to get rid of that? Please respond soon because I don't want all the bacteria to die off in that bag.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

I hope I'm not too late, haha.

Honestly, the carbon filters don't really much as far as keeping the tank healthy - I would take that out if it means the sponge could go in. The water doesn't really matter too much - as far as I know, bacteria really aren't contained in the water anyhow. Leave the sponge damp of course, but excess water would just be that, excess.
You can keep it in the tank for however long you want to, forever and a half, haha. Just clean off one surface of it if it starts getting clogged with random matter. As for the blackish spot... if it really bothers you, you can just take scissors and snip that bit off, but it probably isn't harmful.

 

[Odysseus]

I hope I'm not too late, haha.

Honestly, the carbon filters don't really much as far as keeping the tank healthy - I would take that out if it means the sponge could go in. The water doesn't really matter too much - as far as I know, bacteria really aren't contained in the water anyhow. Leave the sponge damp of course, but excess water would just be that, excess.
You can keep it in the tank for however long you want to, forever and a half, haha. Just clean off one surface of it if it starts getting clogged with random matter. As for the blackish spot... if it really bothers you, you can just take scissors and snip that bit off, but it probably isn't harmful.

I really appreciate the help, even though I did put it in the tank. The only thing I was concerned with was the bacteria in it dying. I put the sponge between the carbon filter and the bio wheel. I put the black end up I think, just in case that area was where the bacteria congregated. I did a nitrite test and it read 5 ppm even after it was in the tank for a few hours. I think it is probably because the nitrite level was off the chart to begin with. The ammonia level was at 1-2 ppm, so I added just a little bit, less than a capful of it. The ammonia level cleared up in less than 12 hours, so I think it's going okay. I don't see any nitrate in site. Tomorrow will hopefully bring more good news.

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

I think the placement sounds fine. As for ammonia and nitrite levels, I really hope this is for a fishless cycle you're doing, otherwise I'm sincerely interested in whatever fish is hardy enough to stand such conditions! Haha. Nitrite tends to go down slower anyhow, and the fact that the ammonia is already starting to drop is a good sign.

Good luck with the rest of your cycle! Sounds like you're off to a great start.