Sponge filter vs HOB

june2000

AC Members
Nov 24, 2008
139
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Portland, OR
We haven't run any sponge filter because it looks ugly.
Due to the fast flow problem, we have a plan to change the filtration from HOB to sponge filter for shrimp & fry tank.

Here is what I found.

Sponge filter: :thm:
Quite flow
Better aeration
No fry / shrimp eating
Cheap

HOB: :thm:
Looks better

I can't find any more advantage of HOB over the sponge filter.
Then, why HOB is much more popular than sponge filter.
Am I missing something?
 
It may just be down to a preference for some people. Look at the media options you can have with an HOB. Aesthetics play a role, too. Even though I've ran sponge filters in the past, I like the idea of not having this huge sponge in the tank to look at. They both work for their given applications, I guess.
 
HOBs also offer chemical filtration (carbon) when it's desired, and many people in the hobby (especially more "casual" hobbyists) think carbon is the best form of filtration because that's what the average LFS will tell you.
 
HOBs also offer chemical filtration (carbon) when it's desired, and many people in the hobby (especially more "casual" hobbyists) think carbon is the best form of filtration because that's what the average LFS will tell you.
Yeah, people and their carbon...just put a fake plant in front of the sponge...or real.
 
I have both, I find them both keep my tank crystal clear and my tanks very healthy. oh and the shrimp I had in this tank loved sitting on the sponge to eat. and it was easy to target feed on it ! this tank is now housing guppy moms and fry, soon to be housing lots of shrimp again.
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HOBs will help with water circulation too!

sponge filters help polish the water IMO.

i would go with both.




you can also put a sponge over the HOB intake if need be!
 
Get a small sponge filter and attach it to the intake of your HOB. You get the best of both worlds then. Get some large rocks or pieces of driftwood and strategically place them to hide the sponge filter.
 
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