cycling sponge filter

[africandiscus]

I need to set up a tank in a hurry. If I put a brand new sponge filter into an established tank, how long before that sponge is considered cycled?

Thanks

[flukes]

Its not the sponge your cycling, its the tank. Although a bacteria will grow on a filter it grows on everything else in the tank. You could speed it up by using a filter from another tank and using water from another tank.

But in the end you cant avoid cycling..

[Merrilyn]

You will need to have the sponge in the established tank for at least two weeks to allow the bacteria colony to establish. You can avoid a full cycle by placing the sponge along with some of the tank water, gravel or plants etc. into your new tank. You may experience a mini cycle but it will be far less dramatic than a full cycle. Just don't overload the tank with too many fish in the beginning and test the water daily.