Aquarium Filters Decoded, Sponge Filters
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- Опубликовано: 12 май 2024
- Sponge filters are very popular in the aquarium hobby, but are they all they're cracked up to be? Find out in this episode.
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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.
Hi, guys. I've only been in the hobby a little over a year but I wanted to tell you that due to your recommendations, I ordered a Seachem Tidal 35 for my 20 gallon long. I have struggled with sponge filters and various other filters and I hated them all. I believe this filter is already making a huge difference in my tank. Thank you so much for the recommendation. 🎉
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
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 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.
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 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.
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 ;)
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.
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.
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.
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 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 🙏
Another great pod cast ❤
Don’t forget check valves for your sponges filters or air stones lol
Great episode. Thank you! :)
im running five sponge filters off one airpump and outlet its made fish keeping a lot more efficient for me
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.
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.
Keep it up Gentleman Kings.......im loving these Monday morning school time tank time nerd time...blessings to you all.
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 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!!
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
I bought a powered sponge filter at petco (suction cup mount, adjustable outlet tube, twin filter) for $17 or so.
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… ;)
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
Would it not just be easier to clean the sponge filter more often for a cleaner clean 😊
Have a 10 gallon Beta tank with both a box filter and small sponge. Looks like crap but I love the old school vibe
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!
I love schedule 80 (dark grey) PVC for anything visible in the tank.
Interesting about the loop I never would've considered 🤔 that, but it makes perfect sense.
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
I use one linear pump and all sponges in my tanks. I'm disabled/retired on a humble fixed income, and it's the best way to keep my utility bill manageable.
Running a sponge filter, with air stone, has been great for the betta tank.
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.
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 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.
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.
🩷Your discus take my breath away✨
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 have never owned a sponge filter
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.
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.
I have a question for Jason. How much beneficial bacteria am i loosing when rinsing them from detritus?
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.
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 😂
IMO, anesthetic wise, I prefer mat filter, especially when I have a rack of 20 gallons. You two should talk about mat filters
Я сам пользуюсь такими фильтрами очень удобно
Hey, you forgot the valve to adjust the airflow and the one-way valve to prevent backflow into the air pump!🤣🤐🤣
Would you use a sponge filter for a 20 gallon quarantine tank?
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!
swisstropicals 30ppm with a jetlifter
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.
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 😂😂😂😂
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
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
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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.