is it possible to over clean filter sponges?

[appleblossom]

I did my usual water change yesterday and chealed the sponges from one of my filers in tank water buy squeezing it under the water to get all the crap out.

Today when I tested my water I had nitrites and ammonia in the tank! is it possible to squeeze the bacteria out with the poo when cleaning sponges? should I be more gentle in future?

I've transferred half the sponge from an established tank so the water quality shouldnt be a problem now...just checking for future reference!

 

[luxum]

When the cycle is first establishing, you shouldn't rinse the sponges. It's often recommended to use 2 sponges (or cut your single one in half if needed) and alternate which one is rinsed, once your cycle has established and you're in maintenance mode. And of course, rinsing in chlorinated tap water will kill the bacteria as well, but it doesn't sound like you did that.