Sponge Filters! Help :p

[Cooper2085]

How do they work? I bought one and a air pump for my tiny little fry tank.

It has some bio media in the basket and a sponge around the basket. The tube fits into the top and just seems to blow air down it so bubbles appear in the top.

Do these sponge filters actually do anything? Are they any good? Will the water get cloudy or murky?

I thought the air would blow through the sponge tbh, so im a little confused >.>

 

[BigC]

The air is forced down the tube and comes back up through the basket thus forming a sucking effect on the water around the sponge, drawing detrius and free floating debris into the sponge itself. They are excellent little filters especially in fry tanks. and the sponge can be cleaned periodically (when they look dirty). Clean them when you do your waterchange in the aquarium water you have just drawn off. Dont wash them under the tap.
Regards
BigC

 

[Cooper2085]

Hi thanks for the reply

Its only a 1ft tank and with the heater and sponge in there there is not alot more room. How can i create surface agitation?

 

[CFC]

They dont just work for small tanks either, i run most of my tanks ranging from 200 to 20 gallons with huge air powered sponge filters.

The air bubbles from the filter breaking on the surface should be providing as much aggitation as you will need.

 

[BigC]

How can i create surface agitation?

Buy this type of sponge filter and keep the outlet at just below water surface and increase the air supply.

Regards
BigC

 

[Cooper2085]

Mine is similar to that. It has a weighted base, the air pipe plugs into the top and flows back up through 2 chambers... If this makes sense!

 

[BigC]

Not sure, that one in the pic sitcks, via suckers to the aquarium wall, at whatever height you choose. You say yours has a weighted base. Send me a link to a pic.
Regards
BigC

 

[Cooper2085]

I cant seem to find a pic of it anywhere >.>

Im going to cycle the fry tank before i put any fish in it anyway so i might just nip out and pick one of them up