Sponge filter from malawi tank?

[Reiwolf]

Kickstart a tank. Can I use the filter from my malawi tank in a new discus tank ? all my Malawi is healthy.

[Akili]

I would not do that, chances of Cross-contamination are very high,go for the fishless cycle.

[Reiwolf]

What could the Cross-contamination do?

[Altum Nut]

Cross contamination may be tolerated by many African Cichlids but would never risk it with Discus. Although both are Cichlids...Discus tend to not do very well fighting off any nasties due to a weaker immune system.

...Ralph

[Reiwolf]

Ok. Tnx for the answer. I have i friemd who have a tank with koi, could i seed from his filter to kickstart? Ore is that also a risk?

[Altum Nut]

Different water sources is the key reason why it is mentioned so often here as a beginners mistake. All new fish require a quarantine period so I would not risk media from your friends Koi tank.
I myself tend to add more sponge filters then I need in my Discus tank just for this reason.
Now others my chime in to say that they received a seeded sponge filter with their Discus order but in most if not all cases it was from the same tank or on a central system.

...Ralph

[Reiwolf]

Ok. How long will a sponge with seed survive in a closed plastic bag?