How many sponges for a 125 gallon?

[JK47]

I am setting up my 125 gallon tomorrow and the only filters I have are three cycled sponge filters. I have x3 of the hydor 125g rated sponges. Two are air powered and one is on a powerhead. Will this be enough to get me through the end of December? (will replace with an FX5 after xmas) The tank will be bare bottom with clay pots for a while.

Stock:
x4 7" severum
x1 6" true parrot (Hoplarchus Psittacus)
x1 6" pleco

I don't mind doing frequent WC's for mechanical but need to make sure these sponges can handle the bio and have never used sponges and sole filtration.

 

[chesterthehero]

all depends on how much you feed and how often you do water changes..
if you keep the tank free of uneaten food, waste and do 30% water changes twice a week then you should be fine..
are the sponges cycled already?

 

[Bderick67]

I was able to successfully maintain a barebottom 55g with one hyrdo V(125g) Weekly 30% WCs Stock was 2 baby black aros @ 3", 10 red snooks fry @ 3/4" and 5 bristlenose plecos @ 2".

I think you be fine just keep up on WCs and check params to make sure

 

[JK47]

all depends on how much you feed and how often you do water changes..
if you keep the tank free of uneaten food, waste and do 30% water changes twice a week then you should be fine..
are the sponges cycled already?

Yes they are cycled. One has been in my 225g for about two months and the other two a freind is bringing me today. I am taking in a friends fish this week. Tank got set up last night but haven't moved over the sponges. Will do that when I pick up the stock.

I don't mind doing as many WC's as I have to but am thinking the cycle should not last too long. You guys think a bottle of Stability would help even though the sponges have established bacteria or a waste? The bio load is going to significantly increase from what the sponges were used to.

 

[JK47]

I was able to successfully maintain a barebottom 55g with one hyrdo V(125g) Weekly 30% WCs Stock was 2 baby black aros @ 3", 10 red snooks fry @ 3/4" and 5 bristlenose plecos @ 2".

I think you be fine just keep up on WCs and check params to make sure

Thanks Brian, that makes me feel a little better. I just look at the 225g with an FX5/sump combo and then these three sponges and go what am I thinking.

 

[Bderick67]

Thanks Brian, that makes me feel a little better. I just look at the 225g with an FX5/sump combo and then these three sponges and go what am I thinking.

Ya always good to have peace of mind. Look at it this way though, there are some people that will tell you that your tank has more then enough surface area for BB by itself So with using the three large sponge filters as your bio media, you are good to go

 

[JK47]

Ya always good to have piece of mind. Look at it this way though, there are some people that will tell you that your tank has more then enough surface area for BB by itself So with using the three large sponge filters as your bio media, you are good to go

Even if the surface area was sufficient from the tank alone (way too affraid to try that) it would not be applicable for me because the tank has been running for about 16 hours only. The LFS only uses two of these sponges in their 125g's.
My friend is doing a very cool thing giving me his fish and I don't wanna let him down and have anything happen.

Justin-