You just taught me something new! Based on your comment of how foam filters last 'forever', unless you have hard water, I understand why my AquaClear foam gradually became harder and harder, eventually reaching a point where it would crumble when attempting to clean it. My Gh is 31, and Kh 20.
When I came back to this hobby couple years ago, i bought so many of the new tech that i never used. now, almost of the tanks are sponge filters now. I can't wait to hear your take on Undergravel system and box filters. :)
Good one, Bentley. One drawback of the short airlift tube is the tendency for recirculation. This phenomenon reduces the efficiency of the filter, and it is possible to have a pocket of recirculating water in the immediate vicinity of the sponge, depending on the size of the tank and any other barriers to the flow such as plant leaves. That's why I favour adding a 90° elbow and an extension tube to push the expelled water across the surface and away from the filter.
I have an aquarium co-op sponge filter (with ziss filter) in my 16 gallon shrimp tank. It works well, the water stays clear. I was surprised. I love it!
So true Bentley! Sponge filters are simple technology so i love that but the best thing is the ability to 'turbo' start a new tank with a used sponge. Great videos, running river is looking beautiful!
+100 to using sponge filters as a "backup" filter. Also, they're great if youre setting up a hospital or quarantine tank on the fly. I run multiple sponge filters in addition to HOBs in all of my tanks
I usually run a power filter and a sponge filter at the same time. The sponge filters are easy to run during power outages. I hate fine sponges as they are a lot more difficult to clean.
I remember when I first learned about sponge filters way back in like… 2007? You couldn’t go to a LFS and just… buy one. I don’t know why. Or maybe it was just the two I knew about didn’t have them. Anyway. Now I work at one and every once in a while people will ask, “ok but why are there sponge filters in all your tanks here?” And I wanna be like, “because it’s the most economical way to filter 70ish tanks without blowing fuses all the time.” But then those same people then ask, “why would you blow fuses? What is a fuse?” And i’m stuck answering questions about power and what a fuse box is, and how I solved my own overloaded circuit situation by switching to all sponge in my 23 tank basement…
I have 2 in my 10 gallon f betta/ bladder snail tank. I also have an ugf, but I've always used an ugf and always will, no matter what size tank and other filtration i use, so i dont count that when figuring out my filtration. Im very happy with the two sponge filters. I thought id try them because where i live now, we are prone to power outages and so using a battery standby air pump just made sense. They are easy to clean. Snails love to spend time on them. I just dont like the spray from bursting airbubbles. I didn't know there were redirection fittings.
Yeh BUT: when you put the sponge filter or it’s gravy intro a new tank, what stops the bacteria from immediately starving to death? Will your sacrificial one or two fish save the day?
I run sponge filters (in aquascapes, but small ones) because the fish I keep require low flow and would get blown all over the tank by a HOB or a canister filter. Oddly, I have always categorised Mattenfilters along with sponge filters- I have some of each, but didn't realise you were doing them separately until now, which will make this series even more interesting!
Sponge filters are lit. I would use them in every tank that's not super long. Unfortunately mine is only 12 inches wide and 48 inches long. Got a Sicce shark to combine a compact filter and powerhead so I get circulation from end to end. I miss the sponge filters, but they took up too much space in the long thin tank. I cut out an aquaclear sponge for intake safety and it's getting really hard after a few months. The sponge from Aquarium co-op lasted years in the same extremely hard water and was still plenty soft. I don't know what they're made of, but the aquarium co-op sponge resists hard water really well. Like I'm at 1200 TDS from the tap. It's even higher after topping off for evaporation.
I LOVE sponge filters i usually do a sponge filter and use a hob like a tidal for extra mechanical just filled with one course sponge and the rest is filter floss. I love my double sponge filter with bio media from hygger. Im debating throwing a co op sponge filter in just to seed it before i set up tank 3 lol but i really do t e Want to have to use the bag trick to keep the gunk from going everywhere with that one no issue with that with my hygger double sponge as its fine sponge. BUT the pre gilter spongw on my tidal 55 is from the co op and is course not looking forward to that i have to clean soon lol 😅
Hello Bentley, any tips on removing green spot algae? Having trouble with it in one of my tanks. I have other tanks but this one in particular got it. I know nerite snails can help but they also like to escape. Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
Bentley, which is the correct tube length that you connect the air stone to the co-op sponge filter? On co-op site they have a video that says to use a small as possible length for the connection. Then I just watched another from them that you use a 2"-3" to get more uplift. Or does it even matter? The short tube looks to have a more consistent bubble flow. What do you think?
Honestly, it doesn't matter that much. The longer the uplift to the more flow rate you can get, but you can also run a sponge filter with no upload tube whatsoever and it will still function fine.
Hey Bentley, I seen that video of aquarium coop that mentions to dose ur aquarium to reach 40-50ppm nitrates. Do you think that’s a good approach for beginners? Right now I’m doing your method of 1 pump lean and slow, And just dosing a lot of potassium. I’ve seen huge results of keeping my tanks at 1-5 ppm nitrates and 15-25 potassium better than ever before
Hi Bentley I am planing on adding 6 Amano shrimps and a couple of small fishes to a 20gl. I have heard that Amano shrimps love the sponge filters, so I would like one. I have a Zoomed canister filter for up to 10gl (from a precious tank) I know it is not enough for a 20gl, but if I add a medium sponge filter, would I be good with that?
Love the elbow to detect flow. This was a me problem not the filter design. But had created a "dead spot" with no flow. Didn't find it until I did a re scape and found a mountain of 💩
cheap, no moving parts, no problems during a power outage, environmentally friendly, virtually last a lifetime!! gotta love a classic!!
That’s why I love sponges
You just taught me something new! Based on your comment of how foam filters last 'forever', unless you have hard water, I understand why my AquaClear foam gradually became harder and harder, eventually reaching a point where it would crumble when attempting to clean it. My Gh is 31, and Kh 20.
When I came back to this hobby couple years ago, i bought so many of the new tech that i never used. now, almost of the tanks are sponge filters now. I can't wait to hear your take on Undergravel system and box filters. :)
Good one, Bentley. One drawback of the short airlift tube is the tendency for recirculation. This phenomenon reduces the efficiency of the filter, and it is possible to have a pocket of recirculating water in the immediate vicinity of the sponge, depending on the size of the tank and any other barriers to the flow such as plant leaves. That's why I favour adding a 90° elbow and an extension tube to push the expelled water across the surface and away from the filter.
I have an aquarium co-op sponge filter (with ziss filter) in my 16 gallon shrimp tank. It works well, the water stays clear. I was surprised. I love it!
So true Bentley! Sponge filters are simple technology so i love that but the best thing is the ability to 'turbo' start a new tank with a used sponge. Great videos, running river is looking beautiful!
Great video Bentley, I have sponge filters in 3 of my 4 tanks and all 3 three are dirted planted aquariums.
+100 to using sponge filters as a "backup" filter. Also, they're great if youre setting up a hospital or quarantine tank on the fly. I run multiple sponge filters in addition to HOBs in all of my tanks
Been a casual fishkeeper for 60+ years. Sponge filters are easy care, love to see baby livebearers feeding on them, my shrimp like them too.
I usually run a power filter and a sponge filter at the same time. The sponge filters are easy to run during power outages. I hate fine sponges as they are a lot more difficult to clean.
I remember when I first learned about sponge filters way back in like… 2007? You couldn’t go to a LFS and just… buy one.
I don’t know why.
Or maybe it was just the two I knew about didn’t have them.
Anyway. Now I work at one and every once in a while people will ask, “ok but why are there sponge filters in all your tanks here?” And I wanna be like, “because it’s the most economical way to filter 70ish tanks without blowing fuses all the time.” But then those same people then ask, “why would you blow fuses? What is a fuse?” And i’m stuck answering questions about power and what a fuse box is, and how I solved my own overloaded circuit situation by switching to all sponge in my 23 tank basement…
Love love love it 🎉thank you
I have 2 in my 10 gallon f betta/ bladder snail tank. I also have an ugf, but I've always used an ugf and always will, no matter what size tank and other filtration i use, so i dont count that when figuring out my filtration. Im very happy with the two sponge filters. I thought id try them because where i live now, we are prone to power outages and so using a battery standby air pump just made sense. They are easy to clean. Snails love to spend time on them. I just dont like the spray from bursting airbubbles. I didn't know there were redirection fittings.
I love this series Bentley!
As I said in your previous video,I swear by them and have at least one in all my tanks along with 1-2 HOB filters.
Thanks!
Yeh BUT: when you put the sponge filter or it’s gravy intro a new tank, what stops the bacteria from immediately starving to death? Will your sacrificial one or two fish save the day?
Awsvideo as always. I love the sponge filter because I never have to buy replacement anything. It is the green filter choice.
I run sponge filters (in aquascapes, but small ones) because the fish I keep require low flow and would get blown all over the tank by a HOB or a canister filter. Oddly, I have always categorised Mattenfilters along with sponge filters- I have some of each, but didn't realise you were doing them separately until now, which will make this series even more interesting!
Sponge filters are lit. I would use them in every tank that's not super long. Unfortunately mine is only 12 inches wide and 48 inches long. Got a Sicce shark to combine a compact filter and powerhead so I get circulation from end to end. I miss the sponge filters, but they took up too much space in the long thin tank. I cut out an aquaclear sponge for intake safety and it's getting really hard after a few months. The sponge from Aquarium co-op lasted years in the same extremely hard water and was still plenty soft. I don't know what they're made of, but the aquarium co-op sponge resists hard water really well. Like I'm at 1200 TDS from the tap. It's even higher after topping off for evaporation.
I LOVE sponge filters i usually do a sponge filter and use a hob like a tidal for extra mechanical just filled with one course sponge and the rest is filter floss. I love my double sponge filter with bio media from hygger. Im debating throwing a co op sponge filter in just to seed it before i set up tank 3 lol but i really do t e
Want to have to use the bag trick to keep the gunk from going everywhere with that one no issue with that with my hygger double sponge as its fine sponge. BUT the pre gilter spongw on my tidal 55 is from the co op and is course not looking forward to that i have to clean soon lol 😅
Hello Bentley, any tips on removing green spot algae? Having trouble with it in one of my tanks. I have other tanks but this one in particular got it. I know nerite snails can help but they also like to escape. Any help is appreciated! Thank you!
Bristlenose style plecos and rubber lip plecos are also amazing dust and spot algae eaters
Bentley, which is the correct tube length that you connect the air stone to the co-op sponge filter? On co-op site they have a video that says to use a small as possible length for the connection. Then I just watched another from them that you use a 2"-3" to get more uplift. Or does it even matter? The short tube looks to have a more consistent bubble flow. What do you think?
Honestly, it doesn't matter that much. The longer the uplift to the more flow rate you can get, but you can also run a sponge filter with no upload tube whatsoever and it will still function fine.
Let’s Goooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! 🎉
Hey Bentley, I seen that video of aquarium coop that mentions to dose ur aquarium to reach 40-50ppm nitrates. Do you think that’s a good approach for beginners? Right now I’m doing your method of 1 pump lean and slow, And just dosing a lot of potassium. I’ve seen huge results of keeping my tanks at 1-5 ppm nitrates and 15-25 potassium better than ever before
I prefer a leaner method, 10-20ppm
Hi Bentley
I am planing on adding 6 Amano shrimps and a couple of small fishes to a 20gl. I have heard that Amano shrimps love the sponge filters, so I would like one. I have a Zoomed canister filter for up to 10gl (from a precious tank) I know it is not enough for a 20gl, but if I add a medium sponge filter, would I be good with that?
Should do fine!
Thank you :)
Love the elbow to detect flow. This was a me problem not the filter design. But had created a "dead spot" with no flow. Didn't find it until I did a re scape and found a mountain of 💩
Will add I am more a fan of Hygger sponge filter because it also has the bio media inside as well.
Can't you also just throttle the air pump to decrease flow?
👍🏻👍🏻
My apologies.. perhaps I didn't hear you right but didn't you just say in a recent video that they "S"#&K"?
This is a series where one video will be all the bad and one video is all the goods
@@BentleyPascoe LoL 😂..ok!
Hmm filter gravy don’t know if that sounds good or disgusting 😂
I kinda hate when rich people dis sponge filters