Cycling without a filter/ DIY Sponge Filter

[Justepic]

Yo,

During the downtime, I am trying to convert my old, wrecked 10-gallon terrapin tank into an aquarium. I have cleaned it and was going to then buy a sponge filter, but is there anyway to cycle without one? (methinks plants)

However, I have a few unused sponges and an air pump with airline tubing. So what constitutes a sponge filter? If I plop a sponge, bacteria will start growing in it so what is the reason for the air pump? Meanwhile, I am going to try and get a hole in the sponge to install the airline tubing through.

 

[twentyleagues]

The air pump is to create flow through the sponge to pull your water to it. Without the air pump that's just a sponge in the water. Will bacteria grow on it? Yes. Will it be an effective filter without flow? No. You need some sort of current in a tank to aid in many of the processes of a tank. Can you set up a tank with 0 flow? sure for some species. Most need flow to help break surface tension to aid in oxygen exchange. Do you absolutely need a filter? No but you need surface area and a good "substrate" for bacteria to inhabit. Will plants help a tank like this? Obviously, but plants can cause issues too.
What are you planning on putting in this tank?

 

[Justepic]

The air pump is to create flow through the sponge to pull your water to it. Without the air pump that's just a sponge in the water. Will bacteria grow on it? Yes. Will it be an effective filter without flow? No. You need some sort of current in a tank to aid in many of the processes of a tank. Can you set up a tank with 0 flow? sure for some species. Most need flow to help break surface tension to aid in oxygen exchange. Do you absolutely need a filter? No but you need surface area and a good "substrate" for bacteria to inhabit. Will plants help a tank like this? Obviously, but plants can cause issues too.
What are you planning on putting in this tank?

Planning to breed a species of appistogrammaa
borellii or laetacara dorsegira/curviceps. Basically south American dwarfs.

 

[twentyleagues]

Planning to breed a species of appistogrammaa
borellii or laetacara dorsegira/curviceps. Basically south American dwarfs.

I would set it up with some sort of flow then for sure. A sponge filter should be fine.

 

[tlindsey]

Planning to breed a species of appistogrammaa
borellii or laetacara dorsegira/curviceps. Basically south American dwarfs.

I absolutely agree with twentyleagues and from experience the sponge will work with Apistogramma.

 

[Justepic]

I managed to arrange the sponge filter and drill a home into it to let the airline tubing through. I got a random black cap so the airline tubing couldn't fit back on. However, the sponge started to float, luckily I have a grassy terrarium bit and I stuck the sponge under that. Is this a working sponge filter? And all I need to start the cycle is drop fish food in right?

 

[Justepic]

 

[deeda]

How is the air drawing water through the sponge? Do you have holes pierced in the airline that is inside the sponge?

Sponge filter here is a link to sponge filter operation

 

[Justepic]

How is the air drawing water through the sponge? Do you have holes pierced in the airline that is inside the sponge?

Sponge filter here is a link to sponge filter operation

I didn't know you need to pop holes in the airline tubing that is inside the sponge... guess that's what I will do next !

And I assume the ' air drawing water though the sponge' is accomplished by the air pump that is on and connected to the airline tubing.

If not please let me know , Thanks!

 

[jjohnwm]

The airstone doesn't do you any good if it just sits above the sponge like that. You need to bore a hole into the sponge, then ideally get some tubing of the appropriate diameter to fit into the hole snugly (maybe an inch or so in diameter would be good). If the hole goes all the way through the sponge, then you will want to plug the end of the large tubing so that water doesn't enter that way. Drill a bunch of holes in the section of tubing that are within the sponge; then drop the airstone inside the large tubing and secure it so that it doesn't come out.

The idea is for the air bubbles to create an airlift which sucks water into the sponge, through the holes into the large tube. The air bubbles will draw that water upwards and release it back into the tank, forcing more water to flow through the sponge and into the tube. The water will be filtered mechanically by the sponge, and the constant flow of aerated water will encourage the growth of bacteria throughout the sponge which will provide your biological filtration. Hard to describe, very easy to do. Google "sponge filter" and I'm sure you will find pictures that make it clear.