Sponge Filters

[Matak]

Originally posted by yhbae
Aha... I'll have to keep this in mind when I eventually get to some seriously planted tanks... (I always like to have some additional filtering, "just in case"...) Thanks for the info guys!

If you have a planted tank, you'll want to keep water surface movement down to a minimum for CO2 retention. A sponge filter does this beautifully.

Check my tank specs below. I use a sponge filter (impeller driven, not air driven) as a prefilter to a RFUGF on 1/3 of my 30g planted tank. Works terrific!

 

[FishGuy72]

I have used both with power head and with air stone... haven't been able to decide on which is better. I suppose that the power head moves (cleans) more water... but the water has less time in contact with the sponge.

Of all the LFS in my area... the one with the cleanest tanks uses only air driven sponge filters. The tanks have no dead fish, crystal clear water and LOTS of happy fish. That said... all of the tanks I have with sponges, also have powerfilters... cheap insurance I think.

 

[yhbae]

Originally posted by Matak
If you have a planted tank, you'll want to keep water surface movement down to a minimum for CO2 retention. A sponge filter does this beautifully.

Check my tank specs below. I use a sponge filter (impeller driven, not air driven) as a prefilter to a RFUGF on 1/3 of my 30g planted tank. Works terrific!

I guess that is the key thing - impeller driven, and not air driven. My air-driven sponge filters create water disturbance like crazy, which I like in most of the tanks...

As you said, I should seriously consider this filtering mechanism for my next planted tank.

 

[blitzen25bm]

Originally posted by yhbae


I guess that is the key thing - impeller driven, and not air driven. My air-driven sponge filters create water disturbance like crazy, which I like in most of the tanks...

As you said, I should seriously consider this filtering mechanism for my next planted tank.

yea thats why i didnt use air pumps and the bubbles and airpumps are noisy. i also have the water directed 2 ways up and sideways so i dont have much surface movement and the side flows make the plants sway nicely.

 

[yhbae]

Originally posted by blitzen25bm


i also have the water directed 2 ways up and sideways so i dont have much surface movement and the side flows make the plants sway nicely.

Nice...

Can it be positioned to create current near the substrate to "blow up" the waste particles? That might give the filter more chance to collect them...

 

[Matak]

Originally posted by yhbae
As you said, I should seriously consider this filtering mechanism for my next planted tank.

Yes but any Joe here will tell you, UFG's are time bombs. I think I will even redo mine in a years time. Too much (possible) gunk build up under the plate. But I feel mine will go for about three years no prob with a medium/light bio load.

 

[yhbae]

Originally posted by Matak
Yes but any Joe here will tell you, UFG's are time bombs. I think I will even redo mine in a years time. Too much (possible) gunk build up under the plate. But I feel mine will go for about three years no prob with a medium/light bio load.

Uh? how did this turn into UFGs?

I definitely wouldn't go towards UFG especially after reading so many horror stories about them...

 

[blitzen25bm]

Originally posted by yhbae


Nice...

Can it be positioned to create current near the substrate to "blow up" the waste particles? That might give the filter more chance to collect them...

the filter is on the far right of my tank and everything gets blown to the far left, i only have to gravel vac a third of the tank i do the whole thing anways but mostly on the left because theres never much anywhere else.