Sponge Or Ug Filter

[awilson360]

My LFS has some Sponge Filters on clearance and I am wondering whether or not to get one for my Betta tank.

It's a XY-2830 and I don't know the brand. I was thinking of making the switch from UG to Sponge as it would be easier to maintain.
Is there anyone with experience of either that could tell me which would be better for the Betta tank?

I am staying away from power filters in it at the moment as they produce just too much current for my guy. It's a 10g tank and he is the only occupant so I'm thinking a Sponge filter could do the trick with a nice air pump.

What do you all think?

AW

 

[Biulu]

I used UGF for a long time in combination with plants, and it worked great. The plants (mostly swords) got their nutrients directly from the muck underneath the filter and in this way I hardly ever had to clean the tank. However if you don't have plants I agree with you that a spongefilter is much easier to clean. The disadvantage of a sponge is though that you can't put any carbon in. I don't know your water, but in some areas it is good to have carbon filtering out some potential dangerous elements.

 

[holidayinn]

Carbon is only effective for a limitied period of time and unnecessary imo, unless needed (i.e. taking out meds)

I would defo go with a Sponge Filter, ensure it is suitably sized for a 10g.

 

[awilson360]

I used UGF for a long time in combination with plants, and it worked great. The plants (mostly swords) got their nutrients directly from the muck underneath the filter and in this way I hardly ever had to clean the tank. However if you don't have plants I agree with you that a spongefilter is much easier to clean. The disadvantage of a sponge is though that you can't put any carbon in. I don't know your water, but in some areas it is good to have carbon filtering out some potential dangerous elements.

Ok well I do intend to eventually heavily plant the tank once I have found a suitable hood and light but I don't require carbon filtering and I've read that roots clog up the UG filter plate so that was my reasoning for getting a Sponge Filter.

AW