Seeded media not working in QT!

[FishN00b83]

So I've had this sponge sitting in my biocube (3rd chamber) for a good 6 months. I bought a 6 line wrasse on Monday and put the sponge in the QT filter (QT is only 5.5 g). I noticed today that the wrasse hasn't eaten his food from the night before (weird because he's been eating like crazy). I went to test the ammonia and it started turning green. I immediately got a container and started acclimating to get him in the DT.

My question is why the hell is the ammonia rising? I had that filter media in the for EVER. What could of happened here?

 

[Sniperhank]

There is only so much bacteria in the sponge and a small sponge isn't going to consume all the ammonia produced. You'll still have to so water changes, I'd assume even daily with some of the really small tanks.

 

[FishN00b83]

So what should I keep in my sump for my QT next time? I thought I was all prepared and ready to do things the right way...then this happened. It was a good sized sponge, but apparently it wasn't enough? What should I pick up tomorrow so this doesn't happen again?

 

[Sniperhank]

The sponge will help with the bacteria and lessen the water changes, but won't replace them in a QT setup. Someone else might chime in with other advice, but this is how I look at it.

 

[FishN00b83]

I always thought if you had enough established stuff from one tank to another you wouldn't have a cycle...is this not true? Like if I had a big bag of rings or bio balls and sit them in the sump. Then took them out when I got a new fish and put it in the QT, I'd still get an ammonia spike?

 

[Sniperhank]

Probably.

 

[Ingy]

The sponge is just a start. Remember the bacteria live everywhere in an established tank. Sides and bottom, sand, rocks, filter pipes and impeller blades. Everywhere. The sponge is a start, but not going to replace everything. You can also put your small pieces of PVC pipe that you use for hidey holes in the sump while waiting.

 

[Autumnsky]

Also over feeding will cause ammonia, or feeding and the fish not eating it.

I always had problems with flake food, so if you are using that try a different higher quality pelleted food. (though i am speaking for the ? of ammonia, not the diet of a line wrasse)

 

[FishN00b83]

I only feed NLS pellets. All my fish have been accepting is so far. They don't seem to break down in the water, but I can see over feeding being an issue