HOB question

[Discusdude7]

After a water change two days ago I forgot to plug in my HOB back in. I'm guessing that the beneficial bacteria has all died by now. Should I just put water in it and run it again would it be better to take out the sponges and clean them before putting them back in?

[MKD]

its better clean everything in there and keep an eye for ammonia spike/mid cycle.

[Discusdude7]

Thanks

[Ryan]

Take the whole thing out, HOB box and all, and dump the water down the drain. Then clean and rinse the sponges very well. If you turned it back on, it'd pump a ton of dead bacteria back into the tank. I've watched people lose tanks of fish from that.

[Discusdude7]

Take the whole thing out, HOB box and all, and dump the water down the drain. Then clean and rinse the sponges very well. If you turned it back on, it'd pump a ton of dead bacteria back into the tank. I've watched people lose tanks of fish from that.

Ryan,
I took out sponges and threw them out and replaced them. There was a few inches of water left in the hob but I didn't dump it out...is that fine or did I just screw up bad?

[Ryan]

I'd just make sure to monitor their behavior and do a large water change if anything is wrong. That water would have probably been full of dead bacteria after two days.

[Discusdude7]

I'd just make sure to monitor their behavior and do a large water change if anything is wrong. That water would have probably been full of dead bacteria after two days.

Thanks. Would it be a bad Idea to dose with safe just in case?

[Discusdude7]

Ok. New question. I have 2-3 seeded sponges in my sump of my 120. When I bought fish from Kenny I threw it in the tank for an instant cycle more than a month ago. Well today I saw that the airline detached from one of them and I don't know how long it's been like this. My question is should I just attach the airline or do I need to do something special?
Thanks

[Ryan]

Just reattach it. You should be fine.

[Discusdude7]

Just reattach it. You should be fine.

Thanks Ryan