do I need the long tube on my sponge filter?

[grannylvsfish]

The big sponge filter is on my 10 gallon tank and the long tube is almost out of the water. I was wondering if I really need to have that long tube attached. also where does one put an airstone on these sponges? thanks again :)

[Sploke]

I think the long tube contains the bubbles so it helps to establish water flow through the sponge. But, I know mg has at least a few tanks where he doesn't bother with the tubes so who knows. My sponge filter has a little nub that you attach the airline tubing directly to the plastic, no airstone required.

[grannylvsfish]

I think the long tube contains the bubbles so it helps to establish water flow through the sponge. But, I know mg has at least a few tanks where he doesn't bother with the tubes so who knows. My sponge filter has a little nub that you attach the airline tubing directly to the plastic, no airstone required.

mine has that same nub, but I read where you can put an air stone on,
this is what I just read on the long tubes.....

There are different designs, but if this is a sponge filter , it would be more efficient to have the plastic tube.

The way a sponge filter works is that air is used to create something of a "vacuum". As the bubbles move up in the water, something has to fill in the area where they had been. By having the tube, the bubbles pull water through the sponge along with any debris that gets trapped in the sponge and release it out the top of the tube.

If you don't have the long tube, the water will circulate above the sponge, and water will only be pulled over the top surface, not through the sponge, and you won't get much, if any, actual filtration.

[grannylvsfish]

I am going to cut the tube down some tonight. that will work better. I think the tube as described above is important .

[Squawkbert]

You can trim it a bit.
Having an airstone increases the fraction of the tube's cross section that's air bubbles - tube length aids in generating even more of an air bubble/water ratio as the bubbles expand as they rise. Lots of air travelling quickly up the tube means more water movement up the tube, which means better filtration.

If you don't want to become an advanced student of fluid dynamics while considering further mods to your sponge filter setup, just fit it w/ a powerhead. They're Tons more efficient.

[grannylvsfish]

You can trim it a bit.
Having an airstone increases the fraction of the tube's cross section that's air bubbles - tube length aids in generating even more of an air bubble/water ratio as the bubbles expand as they rise. Lots of air travelling quickly up the tube means more water movement up the tube, which means better filtration.

If you don't want to become an advanced student of fluid dynamics while considering further mods to your sponge filter setup, just fit it w/ a powerhead. They're Tons more efficient.

ok, your right a power head would be way better, but what one? and do they all fit these sponge filters? this is in my ten gallon tank. also how long will this sponge last? do I need to have more seeded to keep up with the bio? thanks,

[Squawkbert]

Depends on the sponge filter - check BigAls - they have a variety of PHs and probably some info in the sponge filter section about what fits what. Some of the PHs are "graduated" on the inlet side so they'll accommodate a variety of tubes. The PH choice will largely be a function of tank size (you probably don't need a 600GPH PH for a 10g...)

[grannylvsfish]

thanks squawk I will go look :)

[Bobnova]

Long as you have a couple inches of tube it'll work just fine.

To an extent a longer tube means more flow, but i didn't notice any difference between the full 5" and a 3" i made for one of my tanks.

[mellowvision]

I have a tiny tank I use for shrimp, that I filter with a Rio50 powerhead, which has a small strainer attachement, that I've covered with a sponge from a sponge filter, cut in half. it works pretty well... you could probably do the same thing, using the full sponge.

that said, the rio is a piece of crap. it's built poorly and the suction cups fall out all the time. it's the slowest flow powerhead i could find, so that's why I use it, and I have my flow turned down quite a bit... if I could find an alternative, small, low flow powerhead, I'd use it... but I haven't.

[duke33]

Try ultimatesponge.com i like there prices and thier sincerity.

[yourchoice]

I cut the tube down on one of my sponge filters.It works the same as far as I can tell.

[Rbishop]

The air bubbles do not pull the water thru. By injecting air into an enclosed tube, you displace water; since water seeks a common level, the water column outside the sponge pushes down and thru the sponge and back up to try to equalize.