I've Got Breeding Angels - Need Info On Sponge Filtration?

[Brooklyn]

Hi All....it's been a while since I visited. My tank has been thriving and is doing so well that my (now matured) angels are spawning. I lost one batch to a giant algea eater, who has now been removed. And i just lost another batch because I did not know about keeping my tank free of gravel for breeders.

So, now my angels are alone in their 29g healthy haven, but I still need to eliminate the suction issue with my dual bio-filter. I have heard that I need to use a sponge filter for breeding, so as not to loose the fry, but i do not know about this form of filtration.

Can anyone give me any advise for how to ensure that my next batch of fry survive????

-Brooklyn

[dorkfish]

Put some cotton btting in the filter intake - that should elimintate the problem with your fry getting sucked up the filter.

P.S., you should have posted this in the cichlid section - angels are cichlids

[Ms.Bubbles]

To set up sponge filtration you simply hook up an airline tube from the sponge (usually the center of it) to an airpump or power head. There's no carbon, no bioballs, just the sponge. This sponge filters out larger particles and also serves as a place to grow "good" bacteria, to ensure the proper processing of toxins in the water. It also circulates the water, to maintain aeration/oxygen in the tank. Because the sponge is covered with very tiny holes, no little fry can get sucked up into the filter. Plus, it's a gentle type of water suction which doesn't create any violent turbulence in a tank--this is helpful when you have small or sensitive fish that dislike or might get damaged by a strong current.