Sponge Filters

[BigDaddy420]

do these really do anything for filtration? it just looks like an airhose running into a peice of plastic that happens to be stuck to a sponge. i bought a clover shaped one from big als, its for up to a 40 gallon tank, its going in a 10, can i trim some of the sponge off of it to make it smaller? it looks huge for such a small tank.

 

[seastaar88]

it is mechanical filtration. it works like when you attach a sponge to a power head for added filtration and like the sponge or filter fiber in an HOB filter. it can also be biological filtration, as bacteria colonies will form in the sponge. i wouldn't trim it. IMHO, you can never have too MUCH filtration. what is going into the 10g?

 

[BigDaddy420]

probably just 2 convicts all by their lonely. i want theem to have some fry so i can use them to feed the oscars. my 29 gallon is all community fish to supply my oscars with food also, plus the kids like seeing the baby fishes.

 

[Gunnie]

I have only sponge filters running in 2 of my tanks including a 55 gal. tank with angels in it. I love them! They are easy to clean, they're cheap, and my water stays very clean!

 

[BigDaddy420]

really? i just dont see how that they can be all that great, i guess ill find out. i have it running in my 55 now, so it builds up some good bacteria on it, im gonna leave it in there for a week or two and then move it over to the 10.

 

[Orion]

Sponge filters are great for tanks with small fry and for multiple tank setups. Yes, they do require more attention than say a regular power filter, but for a specialized filter, you can't hardly beat them.

 

[seastaar88]

especially with tanks with fry -- they won't get sucked itot he filter because of the sponge. fry can easily get sucked up ito the intake (if you dont add a sponge on it) of a regular HOB filter.