biological filtration

[Jonathanw1234]

I'm just wondering but if I replace my sponge in my Fluval 13.5 will that start the cycling process over? because I would be taking out the only sponge in there?

 

[brandon429]

read this
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-replace-media-and-filter-floss.1010551/#post-11797069
what we discussed about canister filters applies to your sponge, if this is a common nano reef with rocks in the display

the bacteria on the sponge don't matter, you can remove it and never put it back if you want to. if it's not a reef display, then the sponge may be critical surface area/

 

[Spare time]

The bacteria is on the sand and rock and the ceramic media so it won't matter. Your concern is only really an issue at the very beginning during the actual cycle as it could slow things down when there is little bacteria there. As a tank ages, lots of things act as ammonia removers (algae, coral, bacteria, etc) so it ends up that the cycling bacteria probably isn't as important. So even if you got rid of bacteria in the filter section, the rock and sand could handle it

 

[Jonathanw1234]

read this
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-replace-media-and-filter-floss.1010551/#post-11797069
what we discussed about canister filters applies to your sponge, if this is a common nano reef with rocks in the display

the bacteria on the sponge don't matter, you can remove it and never put it back if you want to. if it's not a reef display, then the sponge may be a critical surface area/

Thanks a lot, that cleaned up a bunch of gray areas.

 

[Jonathanw1234]

The bacteria is on the sand and rock and the ceramic media so it won't matter. Your concern is only really an issue at the very beginning during the actual cycle as it could slow things down when there is little bacteria there. As a tank ages, lots of things act as ammonia removers (algae, coral, bacteria, etc) so it ends up that the cycling bacteria probably isn't as important. So even if you got rid of bacteria in the filter section, the rock and sand could handle it

Thank you too!

 

[Spare time]

Thank you too!

You can save the sponge and put it into a qt system filter if you don't already have some sort of qt setup for either fish or inverts

Both brandon and I are huge qt advocates, so feel free to ask either of us on this thread if you have questions on that :)

 

[Jonathanw1234]

You can save the sponge and put it into a qt system filter if you don't already have some sort of qt setup for either fish or inverts

Both brandon and I are huge qt advocates, so feel free to ask either of us on this thread if you have questions on that :)

I dont currently have a qt tank, I only have the Evo 13.5 should I get one or are they not so necessary?

 

[Spare time]

I dont currently have a qt tank, I only have the Evo 13.5 should I get one or are they not so necessary?

Fish disease is a gamble, and the same goes for coral pests. The more you add, the more times you roll the dice. Eventually your probably gonna roll a disease number and it can range from bad to deadly. The whole disease forum here is practically based on people not quarantining fish.



For people who are starting, I recommend some prazi in their display for fish to rid of possible flukes and internal parasites and then if they have no obvious other issues, at everything afterwards. It's pretty simple to do. You just have another tank or tub in a separate room (doesn't need to be big), and keep the fish in a medicine for 45 days or so. You can also buy things prequarentined

 

[Subsea]

@Jonathanw1234
While I agree with a quarantine inspection, just in case medication does not work for me. Talk to doctors about the over use of antibiotics on immune system.

How much time & money do you want to spend on a 13G nano tank. For hobbiest with $20K of livestock, disease prevention is number one priority. I have been reefing for > 50 years. Make it easy on yourself and stay with softies, LPS and mixed garden inverts. Keep your fish load low and enjoy this fascinating hobby. I don’t buy fish online. I trust Aquadome as my LFS: fish are visually inspected while being feed at the store. I have never quarantined.
A Laissez faire reefer,
Patrick