Will a tank cycle with a filter with really low flow?

[ChoclateBetta]

Originally Posted by finnfinnfriend

Yeah, like I said I have that same barrel thing and it's fine. I looked at shellieca's profile and it looks like you are bullying her. Please leave her alone Choclate.

I am not bullying her. I am scared that her fish will get there scales ripped off or eaton.

[RandyTheBettaFish]

Chocolate you are bullying Shellieca. It's against the rules, so stop.

[finnfinnfriend]

Originally Posted by Hallyx

It's the size of the bacteria colony balanced with the amount of food (ammonia/nitrite) you can "flow" over them.

With a small colony, use high flow. If you want low flow, develop a large colony in a large sponge.

So the more surface area in the media, the less flow is needed?

[Hallyx]

Originally Posted by finnfinnfriend

So the more surface area in the media, the less flow is needed?

Exactly.

[shellieca]

Originally Posted by ChoclateBetta

I am not bullying her. I am scared that her fish will get there scales ripped off or eaton.

Chocolate, I understand you're concern & it is appreciated. I know the risk of having the CAE's; that is why I am very diligent about keeping an eye on what is happening within my tank. You're not bullying, not what I consider to be bullying, but you don't have to keep repeating something when I've said I understand & am fully aware of the risk.

Everyone,
Sorry, to hijack the thread for this. Thank you for speaking up on my behalf.

[finnfinnfriend]

@Hallyx: Thanks!

@shellieca: It's totally fine. It's just in my nature to stand up for justice lol. Sorry if I stuck my nose in where it didn't belong.

[JAGalletta]

If you think about it:

No sponge = limited surface area of filter media for bacterial growth = high flow is required

With sponge = more surface area for bacteria = lower flow over filter media is required

With a lot of sponge = a ton of surface area for bacteria to grow = very low flow over a large amount of bacteria to keep ammonia/nitrites processed.


Using a sponge to reduce water flow seems to be a direct relationship that takes care of itself, i.e. the size of the sponge will slow down your flow in a proper amount to maintain the cycle while providing more surface area for you BB.

Think of an air powered sponge filter: Large sponge, low flow created by rising air bubbles, large surface area for BB to process waste.
Like this:

[ChoclateBetta]

Originally Posted by shellieca

Chocolate, I understand you're concern & it is appreciated. I know the risk of having the CAE's; that is why I am very diligent about keeping an eye on what is happening within my tank. You're not bullying, not what I consider to be bullying, but you don't have to keep repeating something when I've said I understand & am fully aware of the risk.

Everyone,
Sorry, to hijack the thread for this. Thank you for speaking up on my behalf.

Okay I hope they do well the CAEs in your picture are adorible.