Which would be better filtration?

[richardhmc]

Hey all.. Ive decided to buy a couple of tanks.. maybe like 10 or 20 gallons each and put them on shelves... however, Im not sure what kind of filtration I would do.. I plan on keeping snails, shrimpies and other inverts maybe..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj1Glx5anfM

This is the bottle Idea which looks pretty effective

OR

I could use a sponge filter...

I don't know which would be better though... I dont like sponges that much for their appearance and I just dont understand how it could filter anything...

How many gallons could a 2 liter bottle filter?

Which is better - diy small filter or sponge?

Or does anyone else have any DIY filters that work better?

 

[Bnoble]

dont see why the coke bottle filter wouldnt work! looks interesting!!

 

[Squawkbert]

Sponge filters are a lot easier to clean. Either way, go w/ a PH instead of air if you want >5g or 10g (at the most) to be effectively filtered.

 

[richardhmc]

Sponge filters are a lot easier to clean. Either way, go w/ a PH instead of air if you want >5g or 10g (at the most) to be effectively filtered.

Go with a what? a PH? whats that

 

[fwiffo]

Go with a what? a PH? whats that

ph = powerhead i think.

 

[yourchoice]

I run sponge filters on 10g.Change 40% weekly and you will have very good water.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

sponge filters with just a air pump is just bio filtration. when you add a power head that turns it into mech and bio. i use a few sponge filters now.

 

[richardhmc]

A powerhead... hmm like I know that sponge filters are bio so it doesnt exactly clean up and hold onto the waste and such...

How do you add a powerhead to the sponge filter?

 

[duke33]

A powerhead... hmm like I know that sponge filters are bio so it doesnt exactly clean up and hold onto the waste and such...

How do you add a powerhead to the sponge filter?

I've wonder that myself. I think you hook the suction side to the sponge tube. I Think.

 

[Squawkbert]

Yes - you stick the Ph on top of the sponge tube so that it pulls water up the tube (a whole lot more efficiently than air bubbles do). Even w/ using just air, it helps to make sure the bubbles are fine so that they move as much water as possible (so get a good airstone or change disposible ones regularly).

As to mech/bio - even w/ just an airstone, there's some mechanical filtration going on. I've got a $3 Lee's sponge in my 5g shrimp tank w/ just air, there's enough mechanical filtration going on that it instantly changes the color of my first gallon of old water when I wring it out during PWCs - then I have to vacuum under it as it leaves a lot of detritus under it (so I guess it isn't really filtering that, but ti makes it easier to remove).