I've got 2 sponge filters (rated up to 20 gal each) running on a 10 gal quarantine/ hospital tank. Its currently got a large bioload (RTC x TSN 4in, and some wild caught guppies -food-, and 3 other fry 2in). I do realize there is a large bioload, which is why I was running 2 filters. I cannot seem to get the cycle to finish to save my life. Thinking of adding a hob filter as well just for the heck of it to see if that helps. I'm at a bit of a loss. Never in 25 years have I had this happen.
Sponge filter dilemma
- Thread starter K626
- Start date
hello; A mature sponge filter is ok for biological filtration. I am assuming the sponges are mature. My guess is the total metabolic activity in that small tank may be too much for even a mature sponge pair. One thing that can happen is the flow thru a mature sponge gets slow as the spaces get loaded. Might do a bit of good to squeeze out the sponges in some tank water.
The only real option I can see is to do iarge WC every day. Maybe squeeze one sponge one day and the other the next.
The bb are sessile and you should not lose many, maybe none, with a simple squeeze session.
The only real option I can see is to do iarge WC every day. Maybe squeeze one sponge one day and the other the next.
The bb are sessile and you should not lose many, maybe none, with a simple squeeze session.
I did that. Which is why I was stumped. I added a small hob today (a marineland biowheel 75) and I guess I'll just continue with daily water changes and cross my fingers. 
This tank has been up and running for a while on just the sponges just fine. So hopefully the little extra filtration does the trick.
This tank has been up and running for a while on just the sponges just fine. So hopefully the little extra filtration does the trick.Hello; do you have another tank or tanks that are established? If so some bb loaded material might be robbed from one?
Hello; The bb are to be found on many surfaces. My considered guess is solid surfaces which have some water flow along or near them. Might be most anything; décor, inside and outside of filter boxes and tubes, thermometer bodies, gravel, (snail shells maybe??) and so on.
While the bb may be in filter media in good numbers because of the regular flow my thinking they are on many other surfaces.
Good luck