Filter Media?

[Dross1107]

I have a 20 gallon tank and it's been running for three weeks and stupid me changed my water and took my carbon sponge combo out when I treated for ich and my dog got to it do I added a new one and the guy at my fish tank store said that's bad bc all the healthy bacteria is gone. Soooo I have a old filter from a neighbors tank that has a sponge in it if I put that in my filter will that help or could it do something bad?

 

[dougie]

Hi Dross,
It will help if your neighbours sponge was straight out of an established, mature tank. If its been sitting in his/her garage for a while, then no, all the bacteria will have long expired.
If you just took the carbon out, but left other media in your filter, it will be fine too, there'll be bacteria living on the other media. It is common practice (to those who have carbon) to remove carbon before dosing certain meds.
Hope this helps.

 

[Dross1107]

Hi Dross,
It will help if your neighbours sponge was straight out of an established, mature tank. If its been sitting in his/her garage for a while, then no, all the bacteria will have long expired.
If you just took the carbon out, but left other media in your filter, it will be fine too, there'll be bacteria living on the other media. It is common practice (to those who have carbon) to remove carbon before dosing certain meds.
Hope this helps.

thank you very much. my carbon and sponge are connected.