UGF Carbon -> Spong conversion?

P

PurpleSmurf

AC Members
May 4, 2005
351
0
0
39
Colorado Springs
purplesmurf.com
Since people have been talking about how carbon isn't really the great for clearing up anything but medication and chemicals from water, would it be in my interest convert my UGF from carbon filteration to sponge? I havn't been able to find extra carbon cartridges for my filter and since I'm a poor college kid I wouldn't buy them once a week anyhow. That and I can see several advantages to having a sponge setup: I'll actually have media to transfer over to my 29g when I get it going since I'll be using a flourite/play sand substrate, I can get some decent filtration going (actual mirconic filtration), and I'll lower some surface play (my plants are already cheering).

Anyway, does this sound like a good idea to anyone or has anyone done it?
 
Yeah, that's what I had planned to do. Going to pick some sponges up when I go and get a new tank hood and enchange my emerald cory. *prays to find a 10g that can hold more than 30w*
 
:D That's perfect! I'll see if they carry them at PetCo/Petsmart. ($40 is a bit high for me. Aquaria on a budget = :()
 
This actually worked out pretty well. I bought a sponge large enough to cram into my UGF outputs after being cut into pieces for less than $2. And aside from having better bio/mechanical filtration the sponge allows water to move through it (thanks to there being no shield) and creates a small current which my fish seem to be enjoying.
 
Uh, what exactly is the purpose of the sponge associated with the UG? I'm afraid that I do not understand.

UGs with conventional flow have the gravel bed serve as bacterial bed and mechanical filter in the same bed. A sponge on the outlet pipe is just restricting flow, serving no purpose that I can see.
 
RTR said:
Uh, what exactly is the purpose of the sponge associated with the UG? I'm afraid that I do not understand.

UGs with conventional flow have the gravel bed serve as bacterial bed and mechanical filter in the same bed. A sponge on the outlet pipe is just restricting flow, serving no purpose that I can see.
Click to expand...

:duh: :duh: :duh: :duh: :duh: :duh: :duh:
Thats true!
 
It's an added level of mechanical/bio filtration and it keeps my fish from swimming into the output tubes.

Plus it saves me money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom