HOB vs sponge filtration in 55 gallon tanks with fry

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would use a combination of the 2 filters. As far as the Emperor 400. Its a great filter as the Aquaclear. You will have to have a prefilter on the intake. Some people will wrap panty hose around the intake to keep the fry from being sucked up.I'm not too big on aquatech filters but they do work just not in the same class as emperor and AC. This is the sponge filter I would recommend. http://angelsplus.com/FiltersSponge.htm Note the 50 PPI is recommended for fry.

If it was me I would use the filter you have have the intake fairly near the surface if their is an adjustment put a prefilter on the intake and get 2 sponge filters.
 
I agree with doing a combo of both. But I would upgrade to a aquaclear IMO its well worth it. I've owned both brands before and wasn't satisfied with marineland filters. Especially when dealing with fry who need perfect conditions.

If your wanting to do a sponge filter as a prefilter on an hob aquaclear would better also cause most sponge filters lift tubes are the same size as aquaclear intakes.
 
doomiedee said:
I agree with doing a combo of both. But I would upgrade to a aquaclear IMO its well worth it. I've owned both brands before and wasn't satisfied with marineland filters. Especially when dealing with fry who need perfect conditions.

If your wanting to do a sponge filter as a prefilter on an hob aquaclear would better also cause most sponge filters lift tubes are the same size as aquaclear intakes.
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I think what I will do for my ram 55 is get an Aquaclear 50 with sponge pre filter and also get one of the 80 gallon rated sponge filters. For my severum tank, since it will just be 2 adult severum and their fry, I will just get 2 of the 80 gallon rated sponge filters. For the 20 gallon tank that will just be for the fry, I will get a sponge filter rated for about 50 gallons or a little higher.


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steve617 said:
When cleaning the sponge filters. Just rinse them in the aquarium water when you do your water changes.
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I use an Aqueon 50 foot water changer. Is there a way around rinsing in old water? I have seen recommended that you should use room temp water to rinse it in the sink. If I read correctly, the issue with tap water is the chlorine. If I rinse it out in the tap, then add it back to the tank just before I refill it, which is when I add Seachem Prime for treating the new water, would that be okay?


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The purpose of rinsing in tank water is to preserve the biological filteration. Running a powerhead turns the sponge filter into more mechanical than biological. If it was me the days you clean the sponge filter I would get enough water in a bucket to rinse the sponge same as with the sponge in the AC. However on my AC I use to always rinse in sink. Never had an issue by doing so but have changed to tank water. The only other thing is I would not clean the 2 filters at the same time I would rotate. Again its not an issue of chlorine, its to preserve the biological bacteria. I would not recommend a powerhead. That's just me.
 
steve617 said:
The purpose of rinsing in tank water is to preserve the biological filteration. Running a powerhead turns the sponge filter into more mechanical than biological. If it was me the days you clean the sponge filter I would get enough water in a bucket to rinse the sponge same as with the sponge in the AC. However on my AC I use to always rinse in sink. Never had an issue by doing so but have changed to tank water. The only other thing is I would not clean the 2 filters at the same time I would rotate. Again its not an issue of chlorine, its to preserve the biological bacteria. I would not recommend a powerhead. That's just me.
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Okay. I think I have an old siphon laying in the garage somewhere. I will have to see if I can pull it out so I can get some old water in a bucket to rinse the sponges. And thanks for the recommendation on alternating between sponges. Would never have thought of it.

By the way, what is the species of fish in your profile picture? It's beautiful.


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