Box filter and eheim substrat pro vs sponge filter? :D
- Thread starter Freezekougra
- Start date
It would depend on stocking, gph going through the filters and the size.
Sponge filters are great as long as they get cleaned out, and box filters offer a bit more flexibility as there are different things you can put in them.
You could do 1 box filter with floss and eheim for some mechanical and bio filter and then 1 sponge filter for more bio and a bit of cleaning?
Sponge filters are great as long as they get cleaned out, and box filters offer a bit more flexibility as there are different things you can put in them.
You could do 1 box filter with floss and eheim for some mechanical and bio filter and then 1 sponge filter for more bio and a bit of cleaning?
IMO, a sponge filter is better than a box filter for the simple fact that there is more surface area for bacteria to colonize in a sponge. Yes, you can run a lightly stocked tank with sponge or box filters as long as you keep up with your water changes and gravel cleaning. Why not attach a powerhead to your sponge filter to increase its performance and improve water circulation in the tank.
box filter meaning HOB or canister?
I would go with a canister over a sponge if it is a display tank.
I would go with a canister over a sponge if it is a display tank.
I think what he was asking is if a box filter filled with eheim substrat pro would be better than a sponge filter. I think an equally sized box filter with substrat pro would provide MUCH more surface area than a sponge filter. If it would be more efficient would be another question though.
A powerhead attached to a sponge filter would make it more efficient at mechanical filtration and less efficient at biological. Too much water flow reduces the biological ability of a sponge filter that is why many people stick to using a air pump when concerned mainly with biological filtration. Not to say sponge filters run with powerheads don't work though as they work fine. If you decide to go with powerheads to run your sponge filters I would reccomend the ATI Hydro Pro series.
I agree you could succesfully use only sponge filters for your 75 gallon, especially the ATI hydro's as they are biological powerhouses. I think I read somewhere on this forum that they said that three of the Lustar ATI Hydro V would equal the biological efficiency of an FX5 (IMO two would be fine for your 75 gallon). Their were also examples of large tanks being run exclusively with sponge filters on that same post. Never tried using a box filter filled with substrat pro, but I think that is a good idea and ?might? actually work. Either way don't overstock and you will still have to keep up with water changes.