Sponge Filters

bayoupr

bayoupr

AC Members
Oct 13, 2002
218
0
16
72
Avondale, La.
Visit site
Does anyone here use this type of filter instead of canisters or HOB types? I belong to another site and some of these people swear by this type. If its as efficient as claimed, think of how much money and time you would save on media and cleaning filters. An air hose run through a sponge pulling water through the sponge creating a large bacteria bed enriched with oxygen, how much simplier can it get. Any opinions on these because I'm thinking about trying this method.
 
Although I like them, I tend to use them alone only in the small tanks (5.5g or less - there are sponge filter/air pumps that are rated much higher than this.). Anything larger, I have both sponge filter and a power filter. I find them to be great bio-filter but not very good at mechanical filtration. I can clearly see the difference in clarity between the tanks that have power filters and that don't. Also having two filters prevent disasters if power filter fails, so it is an insurance (especially against those AquaClears that ocasionally fails to restart after power failure).
 
No idea - sorry. I've never tried connecting the powerheads to a sponge filter...

How would that work though? Do you pump the water from the bottom of the tube to create inward pressure inside going up? (Similar to python, except the water flow is from bottom to up?)

Just imagining myself... :D
 
I have a DIY sponge filter i made out of a AC 200 sponge and a AC powerhead. I took the AC sponge and cut a hole in it to fit over the extra AC intake tube i had layign around. I then attached the sponge and tube to the powerhead. Instant sponge filter. I got the idea off some website, works really well. I use it in my 5g fry tank.
 
Originally posted by yhbae
Interesting...

What would be the advantage of that over the one that is driven by the air pumps?
Click to expand...
your just pushing more water though it, and i like how you dont have the bubble sounds. i have one made from an AC500 sponge and pushing around 200 gph through it. perfectly silent and its the only thing filtering my 60 gallon. have some live plants and regular water changes, i dont think i rinsed out the sponge in over 4 months.
 
Originally posted by blitzen25bm

your just pushing more water though it, and i like how you dont have the bubble sounds. i have one made from an AC500 sponge and pushing around 200 gph through it. perfectly silent and its the only thing filtering my 60 gallon. have some live plants and regular water changes, i dont think i rinsed out the sponge in over 4 months.
Click to expand...

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! :D
 
I use a sponge filter for my 5 gallon betta tank. Perfect water all the time. I can even go away for 3 weeks and just have a friend mfeed every other day and still the water is perfect. There is also plants and it is on a low flow. I have never cleaned the sponge in it as it is too hard to get at.
 
I use this sponge filter/powerhead combination in my turtle tank. It does a great job, but I think any tank under 55 gal. would have too strong of a current with fish in it. The turtle tank is a 29 gal., and when I put resy reds in it, they really get sloshed around. The tank stays crystal clear though.

Penguin power sponge
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom