LisaEHern

Awesome, thank you so much for the reply!

Awesome, thank you so much for the reply!

Hi, dumb question alert: I have used media from previous tanks to cycle several new ones over the past three years. But, in those cases, I had hang-on-back filters and it was simple to put the used media into the new. Now, I have three smaller bubble tanks. I put in sand, plants, wood and then added a bag of ceramic filter media from the donor tank. But, this time I am using a sponge filter (small tank). All seems well. I have fish in the new bubble and numbers look good (no traceable ammonia, nitrite, nitrates). I added four fish total and, numbers still look good. Now, one of those guppies was pregnant and now there are about 20 little ones in addition to the four full grown. The filter media bag is floating directly above the sponge filter, so the bubbles hit it. All seems well but I wonder how long I need to leave that bag of filter media in the tank before the bacteria are on all the other surfaces. I don't want to disturb the peace, but it looks silly floating there hanging from the branch. I also don't want to try removing it and waiting for water tests because of the babies. If there is any ammonia or nitrites, I know they will be toast. Any advice? Thank you!

Hi, dumb question alert: I have used media from previous tanks to cycle several new ones over the past three years. But, in those cases, I had hang-on-back filters and it was simple to put the used media into the new. Now, I have three smaller bubble tanks. I put in sand, plants, wood and then added a bag of ceramic filter media from the donor tank. But, this time I am using a sponge filter (small tank). All seems well. I have fish in the new bubble and numbers look good (no traceable ammonia, nitrite, nitrates). I added four fish total and, numbers still look good. Now, one of those guppies was pregnant and now there are about 20 little ones in addition to the four full grown. The filter media bag is floating directly above the sponge filter, so the bubbles hit it. All seems well but I wonder how long I need to leave that bag of filter media in the tank before the bacteria are on all the other surfaces. I don't want to disturb the peace, but it looks silly floating there hanging from the branch. I also don't want to try removing it and waiting for water tests because of the babies. If there is any ammonia or nitrites, I know they will be toast. Any advice? Thank you!