Help with sponge filters?

[Nottingham]

I have read on this forum about carbon being unnecessary for healthy tanks unless one is trying to remove toxins, medications, etc. I have also seen mention of a "sponge filter" which apparently seems to be a DIY sort of job.

I have a 5G Eclipse hex and a 10G glass tank with a Whisper 2-10 internal filter. Both tanks are betta tanks. Do I leave the current filter media be and continue to just use the manufacturer (sp?) recommended products or is it worth my while to investigate this "sponge filter" or some other sort?

Unfortunately I don't have much money to spend (tax time! erg!). I have at least 3 replacement cartridges for each filter sitting at home and I would like to use them as long as they're not going to be detrimental to my tank, waste not want not. This also means that getting a new filter altogether (I would LOVE to get an Aquaclear) is out of the question at this point.

My tanks are both cycled with ammonia and nitrites at nil last time I checked. Thank you for your help, I am new to the whole fish thing and the advice provided by this forum has proved to be invaluable.

[kw0me]

with my filters i just buy bulk packs of filter floss and some other one forgot the name and a big block of sponge and cut it to size myself. ends up cheaper and you can customize it for the conditions e.g water gets cloudy add a filter floss compartment. the only time i used carbon was in the initial setup of the tank cause im always putting my hands in there chhanging things around *slaps self* and forget to rinse my hands or my sleeve my slips down into the water. (i can see you all shaking your heads!)

[Que]

Phuuuh... We all do it. Don't beat yourself up.

Q

[Toirtis]

Your tanks are likely just fine, but should you wish to add a spinge filter, it can be a DIY, or you can purchase them, such as the ATI Hydrosponge (my favourite by far): http://www.kensfish.com/files/hydro__3.jpg

[Mgamer20o0]

i am to lazy to diy sponges. i use the same one as toirtis over my intakes. if you still have extra unused media there is no need to change. keep using it.

[Metal Maniac]

I have read on this forum about carbon being unnecessary for healthy tanks unless one is trying to remove toxins, medications, etc. I have also seen mention of a "sponge filter" which apparently seems to be a DIY sort of job.

I have a 5G Eclipse hex and a 10G glass tank with a Whisper 2-10 internal filter. Both tanks are betta tanks. Do I leave the current filter media be and continue to just use the manufacturer (sp?) recommended products or is it worth my while to investigate this "sponge filter" or some other sort?

Unfortunately I don't have much money to spend (tax time! erg!). I have at least 3 replacement cartridges for each filter sitting at home and I would like to use them as long as they're not going to be detrimental to my tank, waste not want not. This also means that getting a new filter altogether (I would LOVE to get an Aquaclear) is out of the question at this point.

My tanks are both cycled with ammonia and nitrites at nil last time I checked. Thank you for your help, I am new to the whole fish thing and the advice provided by this forum has proved to be invaluable.

Buy bulk filter fill and forget the carbon...waste of money!!!

Be anal on your water changes and your water conditions will be far better than any carbon can do!

Cheers!!!

[Rbishop]

Water changes do not always equate to what carbon can do. It is not always necessary, but a water change and the cemical filtration of carbon are not the same.

[Nottingham]

Thanks a lot for the help! I do a partial water change at least twice a week, three if I have time. I also use a turkey baster to suck up as much uneaten food as I can get at every feeding. So far so good, but I'm always on the lookout to learn more.