Sponge Fitler

[spartagus]

I have a spare tank and a sponge filter kicking around "just in case"...well today I have my "just in case". I noticed one of my African cichlid's is torn up, bad. I don't know if it's the other fish or his surroundings. They told me at the fish store that I could mix breeds, as long as I got certain ones, which I did...I don't know what breeds I have though I could probably find out. The one that is torn is all yellow. They are all roughly the same size, there is one distinct bully...starting to see now that maybe that wasn't the case, but they all seem to get along fine, except like I said the one bully and now this. I have broken clay pots in there, I don't know if that's what's doing it or not (they are being removed regardless the minute I finish typing this and I'm going to go buy unbroken ones). Anyway, I'm going to take him out and put him in the just in case tank...till he heals or maybe forever?

Anyway, my question. I have a sponge filter for this tank, but it was missing pieces when I got it, used. I think I have it built up as it needs to be, except I'm missing the lift tube. Is this necessary or will it work without it? I'm having a LOT of trouble finding one at the local stores, and can't even find anything suitable at the hardware store. I'm going to put him in there now without a filter, but would like to have one if he's going in for the long haul.

Thanks.

 

[mattlee]

as the filter isnt cycled you may well end up doing daily water changes anyway as ammonia levels will rise to an unsafe level.

can you get one of the small box filters? they are very cheap and work in a similar way to a sponge but you use media inside. this can be taken from your main filter giving you an instantly cycled filter and safe water for the fish in quarentine. i got mine for about £3 then just add an airline/pump and madia and your sorted

 

[spartagus]

The filter is previously used, not wet but not clean. The water is composed of 50% old tank water, 50% fresh water.
I have a A/C 20 I could use, but it would mean me either buying a new canopy or cutting up my old canpoy(there's not gap in it to accommodate the filter, only tubing) (canopies are necessary, I have a curious kitty) Which I might end up doing anyway, I'm not sure.

Regardless, I will need to use the sponge filter in the future, I'm just not sure if I need the lift tube!

 

[mattlee]

if the filter has dried out then its completely bacteria free im affraid, this applies to any sponge, noodles, ceramics etc etc that are used in filters.

the lift tube - do you mean the plastic tube that causes the air bubbles to flow up to the surface? if so then im not sure if its essential or not! as long as the water is flowing through the sponge then i guess it would work to an extent....

the best thing to do is to keep the sponge filter running in your main tank giving it time to cycle and whenever you need a cycled filter for emergencies etc then one is available instantly. otherwise a small plastic box filter filled with media from the running cycled filter on the main tank is a good alternative as it wont take up any tank space in the main tank

 

[spartagus]

thanks for the quick replies! I ended up getting a box filter and am going to go pull some media out of my other filters to jump start em. I hope the poor fish will be ok!

 

[mattlee]

thanks for the quick replies! I ended up getting a box filter and am going to go pull some media out of my other filters to jump start em. I hope the poor fish will be ok!

i think thats the safest and easiest way to do it. this way the fish isnt stressed out even more by poor water quality

 

[spartagus]

Thanks for the help...these filters are so LOUD though! The constant bubbles sound!

 

[mattlee]

Thanks for the help...these filters are so LOUD though! The constant bubbles sound!

have you got an in line adjuster at all? it fits between the air pump and the filter and is an adjustable valve that will reduce the flow slightly reducing the noise a bit....