hard water sponge filter issues…

[Magnum Man23 138]

most of my shrimp and live bearer tanks ( most are standard 10 gallons, are all running traditional sponge filters, all rated for larger tanks than they are in…

an issue I’m having, is they slowly quit bubbling, even though I have a fish room sized air pump… if I pull the air line off, the line bubbles like crazy… I think the hard, high calcium water, is depositing calcium where the air comes out, slowly reducing the oriface size, and slowly reducing the bubbles… as hard as my water is, this means I need to pull apart, and clean these filters every couple months, even in tanks with almost no bio load, the air line plugs, long before the sponge gets to the point of needing cleaning, especially on tanks with a lot of shrimp eating off the sponge…

I’d be looking for a more hard water friendly filter, that wouldn’t suck up tiny fry and shrimp babies

curious if any of you has had similar problems ( my water is rock hard, so it may not be a common problem )

and any suggestions for a better brand or style of filter,

 

[Magnum Man23 138]

just cleaned up 4 sponge filters to flow more air… the worst part of this, is the air lines get hard, on the ends, and I find it easiest to to cut a 1/2 inch of air line off the end each time, and at some point, the lines will become too short, requiring a splice… in the hardening of the lines, it doesn’t seem to matter the material, I’ve been long term testing 3 different silicone lines, and a couple vinyl…

 

[Uberhoust1]

Not quite clear on what is plugging, the filter media or the aerator device, whatever that may be. I have very soft water, but I still find the air stones, and plastic air stone still plug from time to time. I also find that the sponge filter material also plugs, but I know that is with the organic material being filtered out of the tank. I find that sponge filters plug quickly regardless of the hardness of the water, if you have a source of bacterial substrate other than the actual filter I would try that method. I have had good luck with a filter sock, mine is home made, there are commercial ones available. I put the biological substrate behind the sock filter, so it doesn't clog.

 

[Back in the fold1]

How fast is the air going through them ? My sponge filters clog more on reduced flow .

 

[Magnum Man23 138]

just slow enough, that they don’t spatter everywhere

 

[OldFishKeeper]

most of my shrimp and live bearer tanks ( most are standard 10 gallons, are all running traditional sponge filters, all rated for larger tanks than they are in…

an issue I’m having, is they slowly quit bubbling, even though I have a fish room sized air pump… if I pull the air line off, the line bubbles like crazy… I think the hard, high calcium water, is depositing calcium where the air comes out, slowly reducing the oriface size, and slowly reducing the bubbles… as hard as my water is, this means I need to pull apart, and clean these filters every couple months, even in tanks with almost no bio load, the air line plugs, long before the sponge gets to the point of needing cleaning, especially on tanks with a lot of shrimp eating off the sponge…

I’d be looking for a more hard water friendly filter, that wouldn’t suck up tiny fry and shrimp babies

curious if any of you has had similar problems ( my water is rock hard, so it may not be a common problem )

and any suggestions for a better brand or style of filter,

Interesting topic. I, as well, have had Matten Filters clog at the air outlet in both semi-hard tap as well as RODI water. This is with both the DIY PVC and "Air-Lift" designs.

My tanks with standard round sponge filters don't seem to have this problem. Don't know why but I have gradually replaced the Mattens with rounds.

Maybe someone can explain?

 

[TwoTankAmin17]

I have the problem with soft water. However, I have never had Mattens clog nor the airlines slow. In fact I do not have to clean the mattens very often at all and they are only used on my pleco breeding or grw tanks. I also have airline get hard near where they attach to whaterver. The longer they are submerged the more the hardness creeps upward. This happens on the clean

The myriad small holes in the bottom of the uplift tubes can get clogged, they are easy to clean. I pill them out of the sponge, seal the bottom with my hand and then blow hard on the other end. If that doesn do the trick, then I use a tube/pipe brush.

Imo, what clogs them is not minerals, it is organic waste. Those calcium deposits are dried out. To form they start in the water but it is when they get exposed to air such that the water evaporates and the minerals do not. The depsoits are usually the worst in places that are conitinually getting wet and dried out. The best wasy to remove them is often using an acid. I use muriatic which can burn one if they are not careful. But vinegar will work. The murtiatic is also great for lowering the pH in a tank if you know what you are doing.

CO2 makes the flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) airline get stiff and discolored and this is even worse in planted tanks which add CO2. Silicone is far more flexible and not effected by CO2 and costs more. I have both kinds.

(edited for typos and to turn Omo into Imo at the start of paragraph 3)

 

[OldFishKeeper]

I am going to try some quality, black silicone tubing on my DIY Matten and round sponge filters. Maybe that may lessen or solve the problem. Interested to hear what others experienced as well...

 

[EmmaS]

Theses filters are the best sponge filters if you have hard water or flow problems. You simply attach the airline to the hose. These come with a built in airstone that will need replacing regularly. Nearly all my aquariums have this filter now. I like a powerful pump with a flow regulator. Also I much prefer weighted bottom than annoying suckers on filters. No more cutting stretched airline, no more flow problems. No more getting tooth picks to clean built up debris in airline.

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Theses filters are the best sponge filters if you have hard water or flow problems. You simply attach the airline to the hose. These come with a built in airstone that will need replacing regularly. Nearly all my aquariums have this filter now. I like a powerful pump with a flow regulator. Also I much prefer weighted bottom than annoying suckers on filters. No more cutting stretched airline, no more flow problems. No more getting tooth picks to clean built of debris in airline.
View attachment 381090

Source?

 

[EmmaS]

Source?

Ebay or Amazon. Just be careful which size filter you buy. The smaller sizes dont have the hose bit

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Ebay or Amazon. Just be careful which size filter you buy. The smaller sizes dont have the hose bit

I haven't found a source for yours as it doesn't appear to be available in the US. I have found a mod for a US sold brand, however. Thanks for the idea !

 

[EmmaS]

I haven't found a source for yours as it doesn't appear to be available in the US. I have found a mod for a US sold brand, however. Thanks for the idea !

Took me 10 seconds to find it on US Amazon

 

[OldFishKeeper]

Took me 10 seconds to find it on US Amazon

You know what you are looking for. All I have is your picture which I don't see a match.

Maybe you could take 5 seconds and send me a link?

 

[EmmaS]

Amazon.com

Large or extra large only have hose attachment