sponge filters in planted tank??????

[fishfishfish]

Is it bad to use sponge filters in a planted tank, I want to add two small sponge filters to the ends of my tank because there isn't any room for my bio wheel that goes with the H.O.T. magnum filter. This way I can get good biology going. Put I will certainly have plants...This is for a new to me 47 gal tank I plan to keep bolivian rams and clown loaches in.

thanks
fishfishfish

 

[TrickyD119]

I guess that depends on whether or not you plan on manually adding CO2 to the tank to promote growth or not.

The use of sponge filters and an air stone would gas off basically all of the CO2 you'd be trying to add.

If not then I wouldn't think it would hurt anything, but wait for verification on that.

 

[TKOS]

I use a sponge filter (internal) in my betta's planted 5 gallon tank. The java moss and riccia won't stop growing. But yes, if you wish to "add" CO2 in its gas form, increased surface agitation will just drive much of it off. If you aren't adding or if you are using Flourish Excell (a liquid CO2 product) then any filter will do.