I run 100+ tanks on air and sponge filters. All Swiss Tropicals Poret® Foam filters. In over 50 years of fish keeping these are the best I've ever used.
Sponges don't flood, fail, rattle, or make awful grinding noises. They also allow you to insta-cycle a new tank by plopping one in a new tank. I get that they don't look nice, but not every tank is a display tank, and there are plenty of ways to conceal them.
I may be weird but I do run a sponge in every one of my fish tanks in addition to HOBs and one tank with a canister filter. I like the idea of having a sponge for additional mechanical and biological filtration; also extra surface movement for oxygenation. Plus I can seed a new tank with a sponge filter from a seasoned tank. I do prefer the Top Fin brand because it has a built in air stone, fine sponge, and I can always find them at PetSmart.
@@jedeo299 how would feel if I use prefilter sponges as well on my HOBs as well as sponge filters? lol I am looking for a prefilter sponge for my Fluval 307 canister at the moment.
Sponge filters are the best to keep around. I always keep a couple in my sumps fresh and saltwater when you need a quick QT tank set up or to establish a new cycled tank.. They have there purpose you just need to know the limits that they can do in your tank
You guys have become my number 1 podcast!!!! You both work very well together. John has a more layman's way of explaining things and Jason's well of knowledge is bottomless! Very valuable that you both have different preferences as well. It really covers more information.
I love sponge filters because: 1) I’m really afraid of filters leaking. Sponges don’t leak as long as they have safety valves. 2) I love their low energy consumption. 3) I stock my tanks lightly. 4) I don’t mind the way they look. It’s not a big deal i. The context of ugly heaters etc. Sure, I’m never pulling off a classy, picture-perfect, work-of-art aquascape, but I wouldn’t be able to do that even if I had a magical invisible filter hahaha.
I have my arguement to Jason's use of a course sponge. In my very heavily planted tanks, the fine sponge will clog very quickly as I use a powerhead on the upright tube to drive a Coralife Sea Storm fluidized bed bio filter. The cleaned and crystal clear water returns to the tank through a spray bar. With that, the four inch sponge sits behind a very large Amazon sword plant, with other plants that prettymuch conceals the sponge. This is also a fairy small setup for a twenty gallon aquarium that I would argue, blows away other filter systems on the market today. I have this setup on all of tanks, including a fifty gallon tank with crystal clear water.....though I do add Indian almond leaves for tannins.
One of the brands of sponge filters I really liked is Top Fin. They have a nice diffuser inside with a lot smaller bubbles, so it's a lot quieter and don't need to modify it. I did a quick video on it
I currently have a couple sponges running. I also have several at the ready in case of power outage (on battery pumps) or I have to start up a new tank quickly.
Another GREAT podcast, gentlemen! One aspect about sponge filters for me is the visceral "gross-out" I have from seeing so many fish stores with dirty, old sponges, usually with a dead fish stuck to it in a bare-bottom tank that is still dirty. It's something I can't shake, although I agree they are great for breeding.
As far as sponge filters go I have converted all of my sponge filters over to the Aquarium Co-op Easy Flow filters in my breeding racks where I am not horribly concerned with mechanical filtration. Love the course sponge in those bare bottom breeding tanks and the slightly increased flow of the easy-flow attachment is nice as well. On my display tanks, I am still a canister filter guy.
I have 1 sponge and 2 hobs, i gotta say i like the sponge better. Its easier to clean, i never have to jiggle the impeller to get it started after tank maintenance, it uses barely any power, and i always see shrimp and tetras hanging out ad eating around the sponges when i never do near the hob intakes
Sponge filter is downright amazing for me since I need it to speed up nitrification process for my green water production since "high nitrates = better algae quality". No other method comes close in cost or efficiency I find. You put material in the desired container for it to begin decomposing, help the process with some ramshorns(tanks of the aquarium world, be careful not to put something that can kill them), and then you get very beautiful green water. I find moina way too good at demolishing green water so I had to find ways to keep up with them. Forgot to add, I find moina pretty resilient too, but I do raise them in a different aquarium so that they dont destroy my source of green water.
I really like the way you guys take all things into account (pros and cons) when speaking on a subject. Good stuff!!! If I was into breeding/selling out of my tanks, air driven filtration is almost a must... The noise would drive me nuts,for sure. I'm running 13 tanks at the moment and use pump powered sponges along with canisters on the bigger tanks. The Sicce Shark Pro is my go-to,easy maintenance and great water flow that can be directed to agitate the surface. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for a great show. I've never been interested in sponge filters but it was fun to learn about the pros and cons. John - the background on the tank behind you - it appears to be a teal color. Is that painted or background? Nice color option as an alternative to black.
Just prompted me to clean the 1 sponge filter I have. Just got it to try in a tank. Has been in since November. Boy did it need it. Will now be cleaning it more often. Thank you!!
Sponges are essential. It’s easy to think these don’t do anything expected to see the water flow through like an HOB or canister. They hold awesome cycle bacteria and can be easily swapped to a new tank for it and visa versa. The best thing for small shrimp and fish fry!
I solely runs HMF combined with Czech airlifters in my aquarium room. Highly efficient and very quiet. If you should wish to, it’s possible to cut small slots and place plants in the filter - at least for the looks 😉
Just listening and thinking of the closed loop systems… nice idea, but there is few ways to get a contingency to avoid issues.. 1) Have 2 pumps pushing in air. If 1 fails other to carry on with decreased power 2) hook up a car/bike battery to pump in case of power outage… 3) or better: get a compressor that pumps in a set pressure in the system… it has a compress air balloon so it would run only sometimes… math to be done, idea can be developed (like adding 15gal water extraction tank to cover outrageous and allow pump run only to build pressure exceeding lifetime etc) All is great but might be too costly for 10tanks, but for 60 in a garage… hmm ;) Another great podcast. Listening every week and waiting for the next one ;)
I just set up a linear piston pump in my basement and have air lines running through the floor behind the tanks in the room upstairs along with the couple tanks in my basement. Got a pvc loop in my basement lol. I know its better to have the air above the tanks but i got check valves.
i have 9 tanks sponge filters in 8 of them , the 165 is my "show tank" i have a 120 that has extra sponge filters in it for two reasons first i have shrimp in there and they love them 2nd is incase of power outage i can pull half of them and drop into the 165. i have a bunch of the batterie powered air pumps for fishing live wells to use if the power goes out. they are a great safety option for power outage situations. all of my tanks use canisters or HoB filters as primary filtration.
dont see sponge filters for what they are see them for what they could be, in one of my tanks my sponge filter there just for water movement i havent moved it or cleaned it in almost a year it has hair algae, monte carlo, and one unknown plant growing out of it and its just a little wall of green and looks really nice, my crystal shrimp are always there and sometimes i see my pygmy corys grazing there, i love the look
The reason I’m not crazy about sponge filters as if you even touch them they release the crsp that’s in them and the tanks get all that crap in the water column. But I still have Ms y of them.
One other “pro” to sponge filters is that with a battery backup air pump, it can save you during a power outage. I actually have a sponge filter in my 75 as well as a canister filter and the sponge’s main purpose is to be a back up if we lose power or something happens to the canister.
Fishroom is all aquatop sponge filters. Recommend using extra air line if you use buckets no need to disconnect just pull whole thing with hose attached.
Definitely, but this is a podcast and intended for audio only with a RUclips version. If they show pic eventually guys will refer to “as seen in this pic” leaving listeners left out… it is easier to avoid accidents like that if guys consider this as “audio only” actually mentioning: if you watch on RUclips you can see the tank behind and describing for audio… Love the format and I can do other bits without watching the phone. I do the same on livestreams of the guys too accepting that I can loose out on images as I’ve chose not to watch… ;)
JOHN says ATI sponge filters are the rest, From my experience Swiss Tropicals by Dr. Stephan Tanner has the best sponge filtration. Have run a series of experiment's over the years, and the info on their website is spot on
They are very good too - the problem is the white uplift tubes. I don't like them standing out in my tanks. I really wish they had black or clear uplift tubes instead - Jason
Have you ever tried leaving the air going to the sponge filter and lifting the entire thing out? I've found that the continued suction along with lifting the filter out slowly keeps it from releasing much detritus into the water. Just unhook the air after the filter is away from the tank. Surely taking the filter apart inside the tank makes a way bigger mess than pulling the whole thing out. Also, I don't think spending $5 to $10 to replace an entire filter every year or two is a great expense, especially compared to other costs related to our hobby. Don't mean to seem combative, these are just my experiences.
In your opinion, is air necessary for a tank? if yes, that would dramatically drop the price of sponge filter for a single tank. Just wanted to point it out.
@TheTankTalkPodcast ok I would just keep running my corner filter but want to be able to stick sponge media to seed without losing more space setting up a spongefilter.
I have a rack of tanks all filtered by a sump, but theres still sponge filters in there just in case. Pump dies? Sponge filters carry the load till i replace it. Start a new tank? Move a sponge filter into that tank. In the mean time they do some work mechanically filtering as while my sump is very effective, i run somewhat low turnover rates and any debris in the water column that doesnt float up to the overflow tends to stay there. But with all that? I don't really like sponge filters either. I hate the mess they make when you clean them, i hate the fiddliness of getting just the right air flow so they dont bubble loudly, i hate how you tend to hide then (because theyre ugly) but that leads to forgetting about them and not maintaining them properly. Blech. But as secondary just in case filtration, unlike HOB's they have no chance of causing a leak, they dont increase operational costs, they dont need an electrical outlet (other than one air pump).. I use them, but i don't really like them. And for me, even in very small tanks like my 8g betta cube, i prefer micro canister filters like the little Oase Filtosmart 60
Your conversation was almost entirely driven by your experience in high quantity tank conditions, say 30, 40, 50+ tanks. Many of your concerns are not as important to the 2, 3, and 4 tank hobbyist.
I run 100+ tanks on air and sponge filters. All Swiss Tropicals Poret® Foam filters. In over 50 years of fish keeping these are the best I've ever used.
Sponges don't flood, fail, rattle, or make awful grinding noises. They also allow you to insta-cycle a new tank by plopping one in a new tank. I get that they don't look nice, but not every tank is a display tank, and there are plenty of ways to conceal them.
I use the aquarium co-op course sponge filters almost exclusively but do have some others with fine sponges.
The easy flow is a game changer
I may be weird but I do run a sponge in every one of my fish tanks in addition to HOBs and one tank with a canister filter. I like the idea of having a sponge for additional mechanical and biological filtration; also extra surface movement for oxygenation. Plus I can seed a new tank with a sponge filter from a seasoned tank.
I do prefer the Top Fin brand because it has a built in air stone, fine sponge, and I can always find them at PetSmart.
I use both in most all my tanks as well.👍😎
Similiar. I keep a pre filter sponge on my hob to seed other tanks.
I can’t stand the look of sponge filters personally.
@@jedeo299 how would feel if I use prefilter sponges as well on my HOBs as well as sponge filters? lol
I am looking for a prefilter sponge for my Fluval 307 canister at the moment.
Sponge filters are the best to keep around. I always keep a couple in my sumps fresh and saltwater when you need a quick QT tank set up or to establish a new cycled tank..
They have there purpose you just need to know the limits that they can do in your tank
You guys have become my number 1 podcast!!!! You both work very well together. John has a more layman's way of explaining things and Jason's well of knowledge is bottomless! Very valuable that you both have different preferences as well. It really covers more information.
I love sponge filters because:
1) I’m really afraid of filters leaking. Sponges don’t leak as long as they have safety valves.
2) I love their low energy consumption.
3) I stock my tanks lightly.
4) I don’t mind the way they look. It’s not a big deal i. The context of ugly heaters etc. Sure, I’m never pulling off a classy, picture-perfect, work-of-art aquascape, but I wouldn’t be able to do that even if I had a magical invisible filter hahaha.
I have my arguement to Jason's use of a course sponge.
In my very heavily planted tanks, the fine sponge will clog very quickly as I use a powerhead on the upright tube to drive a Coralife Sea Storm fluidized bed bio filter. The cleaned and crystal clear water returns to the tank through a spray bar.
With that, the four inch sponge sits behind a very large Amazon sword plant, with other plants that prettymuch conceals the sponge.
This is also a fairy small setup for a twenty gallon aquarium that I would argue, blows away other filter systems on the market today. I have this setup on all of tanks, including a fifty gallon tank with crystal clear water.....though I do add Indian almond leaves for tannins.
The coarse filter media seems to last longer. I have several in use for over 7 years.
One of the brands of sponge filters I really liked is Top Fin. They have a nice diffuser inside with a lot smaller bubbles, so it's a lot quieter and don't need to modify it. I did a quick video on it
I currently have a couple sponges running. I also have several at the ready in case of power outage (on battery pumps) or I have to start up a new tank quickly.
Sponge filters don’t fail. No overflow. Energy sufficient. Act as a grazing ground.
Another GREAT podcast, gentlemen! One aspect about sponge filters for me is the visceral "gross-out" I have from seeing so many fish stores with dirty, old sponges, usually with a dead fish stuck to it in a bare-bottom tank that is still dirty. It's something I can't shake, although I agree they are great for breeding.
As far as sponge filters go I have converted all of my sponge filters over to the Aquarium Co-op Easy Flow filters in my breeding racks where I am not horribly concerned with mechanical filtration. Love the course sponge in those bare bottom breeding tanks and the slightly increased flow of the easy-flow attachment is nice as well. On my display tanks, I am still a canister filter guy.
The sponge in the hang on was great info. I didn't want it in my primary tank. Thanks
I have 1 sponge and 2 hobs, i gotta say i like the sponge better. Its easier to clean, i never have to jiggle the impeller to get it started after tank maintenance, it uses barely any power, and i always see shrimp and tetras hanging out ad eating around the sponges when i never do near the hob intakes
Sponge filter is downright amazing for me since I need it to speed up nitrification process for my green water production since "high nitrates = better algae quality". No other method comes close in cost or efficiency I find. You put material in the desired container for it to begin decomposing, help the process with some ramshorns(tanks of the aquarium world, be careful not to put something that can kill them), and then you get very beautiful green water. I find moina way too good at demolishing green water so I had to find ways to keep up with them. Forgot to add, I find moina pretty resilient too, but I do raise them in a different aquarium so that they dont destroy my source of green water.
For me, a large air pump was worth it at around 5 tanks. Not those linear piston air pumps, just one of those pond pumps with two high output outlets
I really like the way you guys take all things into account (pros and cons) when speaking on a subject. Good stuff!!! If I was into breeding/selling out of my tanks, air driven filtration is almost a must... The noise would drive me nuts,for sure. I'm running 13 tanks at the moment and use pump powered sponges along with canisters on the bigger tanks. The Sicce Shark Pro is my go-to,easy maintenance and great water flow that can be directed to agitate the surface. Thank you for sharing.
Not gonna lie, the co-op sponge filters are the best. Now with the easy flow tubes they got even better
Fine coarse sponge
@@johnnybest6386 I dont like cleaning them every day
Couldn't agree more
Thanks for a great show. I've never been interested in sponge filters but it was fun to learn about the pros and cons. John - the background on the tank behind you - it appears to be a teal color. Is that painted or background? Nice color option as an alternative to black.
Keep it up Gentleman Kings.......im loving these Monday morning school time tank time nerd time...blessings to you all.
Great pod cast guys really appreciated because im looking to get a new filter john i think you have me on the tidel 35
Will you put a link for your online store up please 🙏
Just prompted me to clean the 1 sponge filter I have. Just got it to try in a tank. Has been in since November. Boy did it need it. Will now be cleaning it more often. Thank you!!
Sponges are essential. It’s easy to think these don’t do anything expected to see the water flow through like an HOB or canister. They hold awesome cycle bacteria and can be easily swapped to a new tank for it and visa versa. The best thing for small shrimp and fish fry!
I tend to run Shark PRO and Sponge filters. They back each other up an are great for quarantine or new tanks.
Great episode. Thank you! :)
I solely runs HMF combined with Czech airlifters in my aquarium room. Highly efficient and very quiet.
If you should wish to, it’s possible to cut small slots and place plants in the filter - at least for the looks 😉
I will say in regards to sponge filter brands, I've always ran hikari bacto surge filters. They have worked great for me.
Just listening and thinking of the closed loop systems… nice idea, but there is few ways to get a contingency to avoid issues..
1) Have 2 pumps pushing in air. If 1 fails other to carry on with decreased power
2) hook up a car/bike battery to pump in case of power outage…
3) or better: get a compressor that pumps in a set pressure in the system… it has a compress air balloon so it would run only sometimes… math to be done, idea can be developed (like adding 15gal water extraction tank to cover outrageous and allow pump run only to build pressure exceeding lifetime etc)
All is great but might be too costly for 10tanks, but for 60 in a garage… hmm ;)
Another great podcast. Listening every week and waiting for the next one ;)
I love schedule 80 (dark grey) PVC for anything visible in the tank.
I just set up a linear piston pump in my basement and have air lines running through the floor behind the tanks in the room upstairs along with the couple tanks in my basement. Got a pvc loop in my basement lol. I know its better to have the air above the tanks but i got check valves.
Another great pod cast ❤
Don’t forget check valves for your sponges filters or air stones lol
im running five sponge filters off one airpump and outlet its made fish keeping a lot more efficient for me
Interesting about the loop I never would've considered 🤔 that, but it makes perfect sense.
Have a 10 gallon Beta tank with both a box filter and small sponge. Looks like crap but I love the old school vibe
OT, but how often do you clean HOB filters? I have one but it flows great. I haven't cleaned it since I got it, which is about a year ago
i have 9 tanks sponge filters in 8 of them , the 165 is my "show tank" i have a 120 that has extra sponge filters in it for two reasons first i have shrimp in there and they love them 2nd is incase of power outage i can pull half of them and drop into the 165. i have a bunch of the batterie powered air pumps for fishing live wells to use if the power goes out. they are a great safety option for power outage situations. all of my tanks use canisters or HoB filters as primary filtration.
I use sumps but they indeed steal a lot of tank room. I don't hear ppl using them frequently on freshwater.
dont see sponge filters for what they are see them for what they could be, in one of my tanks my sponge filter there just for water movement i havent moved it or cleaned it in almost a year it has hair algae, monte carlo, and one unknown plant growing out of it and its just a little wall of green and looks really nice, my crystal shrimp are always there and sometimes i see my pygmy corys grazing there, i love the look
Run sponge filters in all my tanks with HOB's. I use Aquatop. But my tanks are mostly heavily planted with fry also But my 75 is Cannister.
The reason I’m not crazy about sponge filters as if you even touch them they release the crsp that’s in them and the tanks get all that crap in the water column. But I still have Ms y of them.
I am a HOB fanboy. Cheap and fast to clean.
Used to like canisters but a faulty o ring leaked water everywhere and the maintenance is annoying
One other “pro” to sponge filters is that with a battery backup air pump, it can save you during a power outage. I actually have a sponge filter in my 75 as well as a canister filter and the sponge’s main purpose is to be a back up if we lose power or something happens to the canister.
Running a sponge filter, with air stone, has been great for the betta tank.
Fishroom is all aquatop sponge filters. Recommend using extra air line if you use buckets no need to disconnect just pull whole thing with hose attached.
I bought a powered sponge filter at petco (suction cup mount, adjustable outlet tube, twin filter) for $17 or so.
I have a question for Jason. How much beneficial bacteria am i loosing when rinsing them from detritus?
I really appreciate hearing the negative side! I haven't quite made up my mind yet for my one 10 gallon. Time to dig into the HOB video!
Would it not just be easier to clean the sponge filter more often for a cleaner clean 😊
I have never owned a sponge filter
I think it might be nice to implement images of products/fish you talk about, more engaging for the audience
Definitely, but this is a podcast and intended for audio only with a RUclips version. If they show pic eventually guys will refer to “as seen in this pic” leaving listeners left out… it is easier to avoid accidents like that if guys consider this as “audio only” actually mentioning: if you watch on RUclips you can see the tank behind and describing for audio…
Love the format and I can do other bits without watching the phone. I do the same on livestreams of the guys too accepting that I can loose out on images as I’ve chose not to watch… ;)
Would you use a sponge filter for a 20 gallon quarantine tank?
JOHN says ATI sponge filters are the rest, From my experience Swiss Tropicals by Dr. Stephan Tanner has the best sponge filtration. Have run a series of experiment's over the years, and the info on their website is spot on
They are very good too - the problem is the white uplift tubes. I don't like them standing out in my tanks. I really wish they had black or clear uplift tubes instead - Jason
Have you ever tried leaving the air going to the sponge filter and lifting the entire thing out? I've found that the continued suction along with lifting the filter out slowly keeps it from releasing much detritus into the water. Just unhook the air after the filter is away from the tank. Surely taking the filter apart inside the tank makes a way bigger mess than pulling the whole thing out. Also, I don't think spending $5 to $10 to replace an entire filter every year or two is a great expense, especially compared to other costs related to our hobby. Don't mean to seem combative, these are just my experiences.
Just wondering if you have a more powerful air pump does that make a better sponge filter I'm not sure this is making sense 😂
In your opinion, is air necessary for a tank? if yes, that would dramatically drop the price of sponge filter for a single tank. Just wanted to point it out.
If I wanted to put a hang on back on a 5 gal which would be the one to get?
Maybe the Aquatop Forza 5-15?
@TheTankTalkPodcast ok I would just keep running my corner filter but want to be able to stick sponge media to seed without losing more space setting up a spongefilter.
Could you just use a liquid bacteria be as useful to seed as trying or seed a sponge or together with the sponge be the best of everything seeding ?
A sponge filter that has been put in a ccyled tank for a month will work better, but Fritzyme 7 is the next best thing!
🩷Your discus take my breath away✨
Hey, you forgot the valve to adjust the airflow and the one-way valve to prevent backflow into the air pump!🤣🤐🤣
I have a rack of tanks all filtered by a sump, but theres still sponge filters in there just in case. Pump dies? Sponge filters carry the load till i replace it. Start a new tank? Move a sponge filter into that tank. In the mean time they do some work mechanically filtering as while my sump is very effective, i run somewhat low turnover rates and any debris in the water column that doesnt float up to the overflow tends to stay there.
But with all that? I don't really like sponge filters either. I hate the mess they make when you clean them, i hate the fiddliness of getting just the right air flow so they dont bubble loudly, i hate how you tend to hide then (because theyre ugly) but that leads to forgetting about them and not maintaining them properly.
Blech. But as secondary just in case filtration, unlike HOB's they have no chance of causing a leak, they dont increase operational costs, they dont need an electrical outlet (other than one air pump)..
I use them, but i don't really like them.
And for me, even in very small tanks like my 8g betta cube, i prefer micro canister filters like the little Oase Filtosmart 60
IMO, anesthetic wise, I prefer mat filter, especially when I have a rack of 20 gallons. You two should talk about mat filters
If I am running CO2, can I use a sponge filter?
It can gas it off quicker?
@@TheTankTalkPodcast I have a lot of plants, sounds like a bad Idea then.
Thanks
Я сам пользуюсь такими фильтрами очень удобно
swisstropicals 30ppm with a jetlifter
I might be the only person that doesn't mind the look of a sponge filter but I'm someone who likes to see my filtration at work am I odd 😂😂😂😂
😮💯👍✍️
41 seconds ago ! 😮😅
Your conversation was almost entirely driven by your experience in high quantity tank conditions, say 30, 40, 50+ tanks. Many of your concerns are not as important to the 2, 3, and 4 tank hobbyist.