[FrightyDog]

I was told to change the filter sponge for my freshwater tank. But won't that upset the cycle? It was a "starter kit" one. And on a side note. would a Marina i25 filter be fine for bettas?

 

[Boredomb]

What do you mean by change it?? Do you mean replacing the sponge itself of replacing the whole thing for a different filter?

 

[FrightyDog]

The Sponge itself
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Boredomb]

You can buy a new one and float it near the old one for a couple of weeks which after you can swap them out. This will let the bacteria colonize the new sponge. If you are still unsure after that point you can let the old sponge sit in the tank for a couple of weeks to help out the bacteria spread even more.

 

[Reece]

After reading the responses I'm guessing I take this wrongly, as for the past 2 years I've had the routine of using a filter sponge for a month - rinsing it out when I do weekly water changes to remove large bits of waste - and then replacing it with a fresh piece of sponge. I've never seen any issues regarding the tank or my fish with this process.

 

[BWG]

After reading the responses I'm guessing I take this wrongly, as for the past 2 years I've had the routine of using a filter sponge for a month - rinsing it out when I do weekly water changes to remove large bits of waste - and then replacing it with a fresh piece of sponge. I've never seen any issues regarding the tank or my fish with this process.

If you're using carbon (I don't) that should be changed regularly. Things like sponges can be used until they fall apart basically. Just clean them in the removed tank water when you do a water change. When you replace it, you're getting rid of all the beneficial bacteria the sponge is home to and risking mini cycles, plus spending money you don't have to. The manufacturers always say to replace sooner because they want to sell more. Cynical sounding, but true.

 

[Reece]

The only reason I tend to change it is because after a while the sponge goes from being white to a dirty looking orange/brown, I didn't think that it looked very beneficial haha.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[BWG]

The only reason I tend to change it is because after a while the sponge goes from being white to a dirty looking orange/brown, I didn't think that it looked very beneficial haha.
Posted via Mobile Device

Squeeze it out in the bucket of water when you take it out for water changes. It just needs cleaned.

 

[FrightyDog]

like blackWaterguy said IT gets rid of the beneficial bacteria but I was unsure if I should change it or not it is a brownish color but I do not think I need to change it at the moment. So I'm going with don't changeThe sponge until completely necessary. Sound Good Experts?