Using a power head instead of air for sponge filter..

[FreshyFresh]

I'm just wondering if there's any pros or cons associated with using a power head instead of air power on a sponge bubbler?

I may be swapping some filters around and I'd like to avoid air pumps on the 55g in the living room. Not only because of noise, but because the way the stand is setup, the air pump would have to be at floor level, requiring a lot of tubing.

Basically thinking of tying power heads on this type:



Below is the power head I bought on eBay for just under $9 shipped. I may use it on one of my sponge filters if/when one of my cheapy air pumps poops out.

It's the Chinglish that gets me every time. "Touch the perfection". Gotta try that line on the Missus some time.

Oh.. It's got anti-lock brakes too! Or killer Abs maybe..

 

[Rbishop]

It can be done....just lots more flow thru the sponge with powerhead than an air driven lift. No different than putting pre-filters on the suction of an HOB. They may clog a bit faster than an air driven one but will pull more volume.

 

[tanker]

I think using the PH instead of "Air Driven" is more efficient. More water flow through the sponge would even make it a better filter, but you will need to clean it more often. Maybe every week during WC, take the sponge off and do a few sqeezes of it in the "out-going" WC water.

 

[Duckie]

The extra tubing may not be that expensive either if you have a LFS that sells by the foot. I have one in town that charges 20 cent per foot. If I remember right you don't like to use bubblers unless they also drive a filter. If you plan to have the PH suck in air it will make noise as well. Maybe point the PH exhaust up to create extra surface agitation to make up for the loss of bubbles - that would be less noisy than air.

 

[FreshyFresh]

The extra tubing may not be that expensive either if you have a LFS that sells by the foot. I have one in town that charges 20 cent per foot. If I remember right you don't like to use bubblers unless they also drive a filter. If you plan to have the PH suck in air it will make noise as well. Maybe point the PH exhaust up to create extra surface agitation to make up for the loss of bubbles - that would be less noisy than air.

I don't run air pumps with all my tanks. Two tanks have canisters and HOBs on them. My small and meaningless opinion is, if you want to run air/bubbles, it might as well be powering a filter. The cost of tubing of air pumps isn't a problem. I just hate to run long lengths of tubing for small air pumps. It puts too much of a load on them. My intent is to use this PH on one of my existing sponge filters when an air pump conks out.. Then again.. I have spare air pumps too. lol..

 

[Mgamer20o0]

you can use power heads with the sponge filters but two things. i wouldnt use that sponge. i would go with one of the hydro pros. that way it doesnt clog as fast. the other thing. i used a couple of power heads from them and always died fast. it wasnt that exact on but it was one of the bigger ones. the other con with power heads is they cost more to run. this is a bigger issue with larger set ups. there are better air pumps out there that dont make much noise.

 

[fishorama]

Yeah, I agree with needing to clean them more often & a liking for larger pore sponges. Sunsun looks very like Maxijets that I've used, nothing wrong with them. I like the adjustability of AC PHs but they're more expensive.

 

[wesleydnunder]

I agree with the others, Joel. PHs will give you much more flow. Also, if you don't cause a lot of splashing at the surface with the PH, you won't have to scaling and creep that typically comes with bubbles.

Mark

 

[FreshyFresh]

Do you guys ever get nervous having 120VDC power cords shoved well into your tanks? On this Sunsun PH, it looks like ordinary lamp cord. I know we do it every day with heaters, etc, although even on heaters, I keep the dial end and cord out of the water.. Worst case, the fish go off like popcorn I guess.

 

[Rbishop]

I don't even have problems if its 120 VAC...never have.