How Sponge Filters Can Save Your Aquarium.

[Noahsfish]

What I really liked about building my own filter (apart from saving about 90%) is that everything is super customizable. You could use a variety of different inner media, including a small media bag with carbon if you needed it. You could also build layers inside the filter or around the sponge with those water polishing pads or whatever. Also, it is entirely feasible to support multiple tanks on a single pump (provided you have one of those with the dual connection). You can't do that with a HOB. The only downside is that I haven't figured out a way to take up less space in an aquarium. That's the benefit of a HOB. I've been looking for a way to use similar items in order to create a HOB, perhaps by finding a way to make the tubing to draw water up and into a filter situated on an exterior wall, with an output lip up at the top...

I've never actually built my own filter, never thought of how you could customize it. I mean it's obviously much more practical but I think for a beginner just buying a 15$ filter with a basic source of media should suffice. By all means though, if you have a minute and the inclination make your own filter, but for most basic needs a sponge filter should do the job, and won't break the bank.

 

[DiddleBug]

My air tube, or line, is only 1/4 inch big.  The air pump probably can't fit anything much bigger and it's not adjustable.  Would this work for just any 10-20$ sponge filter online?

 

[attibones]

It should. That sounds like the standard air tube. If it is too large, you can always wrap the exterior of the tube with a bit of floss that you might get off a carbon cartridge. If it is too small, you can take a drill and gently press the bit into one edge. It should open the hole up to be big enough.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I have an air pump and a regular filter in my 10 gallon.  I wanted to change in into a sponge filter but I didn't know how.  The pet shop I took my filter to said they didn't know how.

Is there a movie you could show me so I could see how it works?  Does it move water like a filter or just blow bubbles like an air pump?  All the youtube videos I see show them as an air pump. 

 
Sponge filter, just add an air pump.
 
The way it works is the updraft of airbubbles through the tube draws water up with it, and that cause water to be sucked through the sponge and that's where the filtration happens.  Its a much gentler way to filter water, especially for fry tanks.  The fry can gets sucked up and they can actually graze on the sponge for food.

 

[Noahsfish]

A lot less complicated than it sounds.

 

[DiddleBug]

Which one of these would be best?  
 
http/www.ebay.com/itm/5-pcs-Bio-Sponge-Filter-Breeding-Fry-Shrimp-Nano-Fish-tank-Aquarium-10-Gal-S-/251227114989?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item3a7e4d8ded
 
http/www.ebay.com/itm/ATI-Hydro-Pro-II-Sponge-Filter-20-gallon-fish-aquarium-/120478570471?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item1c0d1517e7

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I'd say #2... longer tube means better suction...

 

[DiddleBug]

Funny as it seems, I made my filter fry proof with netting.  I have this old white netting-sort of like the stuff screen is made of-and I cut it and then used rubber bands to keep it on my filter.  I'd tried panty hose but it just clogged the thing up.   If this works I won't have to get a sponge filter.    

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I think if you're looking to breed and raise the fry, the sponge filter offers you much more.  The sponge will actually be a place that the fry can graze for food... not so much with the netting, because the suction will be much stronger.

 

[Noahsfish]

Uhhh if you're just trying to get a new filter because you're worried about your fry why not just buy a pre filter. Fluval makes sponges that fit over the intake of HOBs, I have those on all of my HOBs.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Go to kensfish.com. and get this sponge- Its good for a tank twice the size. The Pro version is a better bet than the regular line. In bigger tanks you can use a power head to power a large sponge.
 
http/www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-filters/ati-hydro-sponge-pro-filter-2.html