"Reseeding" sponge filter after disinfecting

[dmurray407]

I was just watching Irene's video on quarantine tanks and am curious how long it takes to develop a healthy colony of bacteria in a sponge filter after it's disinfected after use. In other words, if I put a clean sponge filter in my established aquarium today, how long until I can use it again in my quarantine tank?

 

[colo3000]

I've seen claims of 1 week to 2 months. It all depends on how established your tank is and its bio load so it's hard to give a concrete answer. If the tank you're seeding the filter in is pretty well established, 2 weeks would probably be sufficient.

[lefty o]

in my opinion, 3-5 days will get a pretty healthy bacteria colony into a filter or any other object. give it a week just to be on the safe side.

[Guppysnail]

I agree with @lefty o  unless you have a very small bio load it should be well seeded. I have to clean my coop sponges weekly so base it on your bio load. 

[Mustangfreak]

I had an extra sponge filter in an established tank, and after being in there for a month it had built up enough BB to be transferred to a new tank and its not had any issues yet. 

[dmurray407]

On 10/27/2021 at 3:23 PM, Mustangfreak said:

I had an extra sponge filter in an established tank, and after being in there for a month it had built up enough BB to be transferred to a new tank and its not had any issues yet. 

Great idea!