Filter Bacteria

[dzsigmond217]

I just realized that my 7 gallon bookshelf tank doesn't have a sponge in it to hold the bacteria. It only has the disposable filter cartridge. In 2 weeks I need to do my monthly change of the filter and my question is this..If I throw out the filter cartridge will I be throwing out bacteria as well? UGH! I'm going to my LFS to see about buying a sponge for the filter (though there isnt much room in the filter to squeeze a sponge.. ) Can someone explain to me what I should do?!?! Thanks so much guys!
Dianne

 

[england]

wash out the filter cartridge in some tank water you syphon out,,,,,then re add it again to the filter,,,,,thats correct,if you bin it you start again,,,,what i would do is check on the sponge if it wont fit then buy a better filter

 

[rabbut]

I'd rip the cartridge open. There will be floss and carbon in there I'd bet

Scrap half the carbon, and rinse the floss and the other half of the carbon in old tank water. Replace floss and carbon you have rinsed. Replace the hole where the carbon was with fine sponge. Repeat the rinsing of the floss, and replacement of carbon in a months time, then slowly replace some of the floss as it starts to dissintigrate, with a corse sponge.

Hopefuly you will avoid a mini-cycle, but there is a risk of one occuring. These usualy sort themselves out quickly, but treat it as a fish in cycle with waterchanges.

HTH
Rabut

 

[Tolak]

Fast the fish for 24 hours before changing the cartridge. When you pull the old one out rinse it in tank water, and put it in the tank, floating around. Add the new cartridge, and feed lightly for the next week, about 1/3 normal. Remove the old cartridge after a couple of weeks.

The fasting & light feeding means the fish produce less waste. Floating the old cartridge aids in the transfer of your nitrifying bacteria. These thing help to prevent a cycling issue.

 

[dzsigmond217]

Great advice all! If I were to add a sponge now how long would it take for the bacteria to 'colonize' the sponge?

 

[dzsigmond217]

Great advice all! If I were to add a sponge now how long would it take for the bacteria to 'colonize' the sponge?

Ok..so I bought a sponge today and just added it to the filter..
Can anyone answer the above mentioned question???
Thanks so much!
Dianne

 

[Tolak]

2-3 weeks.