Spong filters coated in bba now not filtering as well.

[TomO]

I have 2 large sponge filters in my 75 gallon South American tank that’s been up for 2 years. It was previously an African cichlids tank. I sold them and bought South and Central American cichlids. Then I had of fighting a diatom algae filled by black beard algae. The filters are coated with bba. And there filtering ability is compromised. Should I just replace the filters or is there a way to fix my problem. At this point I only have 2 medium parrotfish, one adult angel, a small pleco and a Raphael catfish. I don’t want to get more fish with all the crap floating in my tank. Ideas please.

[Mmiller2001]

Just soak them in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes. Just do them separated by about 2 weeks to keep the tank cycled.

[TomO]

Will that remove the bba? The algae has clogged up the sponge.

The sponge is clogged with bba. How do I remove it?

[Mmiller2001]

It will kill it all.

[colo3000]

Once it's dead, it should start to disintegrate and release from the sponge. Inverts and herbivores like to eat the dead stuff as well.

Edited January 23 by colo3000

[TomO]

I do have a new medium sponge filter. I can drop in while the other is soaking.