Sponge Filter more efficient with Powerhead or Air?

[JK47]

As the title says, is using an air pump/tubing more effective than a powerhead? I am not concerned with mech at all, just bio. I have two sponges (rated for 125g ea) being seeded in my 225g getting ready for my 135g build. Right now they are hooked up to powerheads, would air be more effective?

It will take me a long time to build the filtration I want for the 135g so this is the intermediate fix plus I like having them cycled and handy for QT.

 

[Pharaoh]

I would say the powerhead will give you the best bang for the buck. The only difference would be that with the air stone, the BB might get a bit more oxygen, but I doubt the difference is enough to out-do the sheer mechanical benefit of more flow.

 

[Toby_H]

The air powered sponge filter will have the slight advantage of the air/oxygen being available to the bacteria that lives on the walls of the riser tube... but any bacteria that lives in the sponge will not have access to this oxygen...


There is a common theory amongst hobbyists that if water is moving to fast, bacteria struggles to remove ammonia/nitrite from this water. While of course there will be a point where this becomes true, everything I've read (and I've read a lot) about our bacteria suggests we do not use anywhere near these flow rates in home aquaria...


Therefore... I agree that the powerhead will be to your advantage... as it will pass more water per hour/minute past any bacteria that live in the sponge...

 

[swede]

i think its a very menial difference until the colony has maxed out.... then i would say the powerhead since more water will come in contact with the BB per hour than with air driven sponges. i can't back this up with graphs or research, but just sit and think about it and it seems logical

 

[JK47]

I would say the powerhead will give you the best bang for the buck. The only difference would be that with the air stone, the BB might get a bit more oxygen, but I doubt the difference is enough to out-do the sheer mechanical benefit of more flow.

Thanks Pharaoh. I was reading on some other forums and people seem to not be able to come to a solid answer. That's why I brought it here. The arguement being that with the air powered sponge, the water moves slower and gives BB more contact time to consume ammo/nitrite.

But IMO I would think that less turn over would make that a moot point right? I've never used sponges before so I am just trying to learn a little.

 

[JK47]

The air powered sponge filter will have the slight advantage of the air/oxygen being available to the bacteria that lives on the walls of the riser tube... but any bacteria that lives in the sponge will not have access to this oxygen...


There is a common theory amongst hobbyists that if water is moving to fast, bacteria struggles to remove ammonia/nitrite from this water. While of course there will be a point where this becomes true, everything I've read (and I've read a lot) about our bacteria suggests we do not use anywhere near these flow rates in home aquaria...


Therefore... I agree that the powerhead will be to your advantage... as it will pass more water per hour/minute past any bacteria that live in the sponge...

NC- I was hoping you would jump in here. I see what your saying.

The thing that really bothers me about it and the reason for the thread is the fact the the powerhead is not perfectly sealed to the tube on the sponge. I can only wonder how much of that flow is useless due to the water coming in from the top where the filter meets the powerhead, bypassing the sponge alltogether. Path of least resistance right?

 

[Toby_H]

That does make sense... but can't you stop the bypass?

While I would not want to silicone the powerhead onto the sponge filter... couldn't you take a short clear piece that fits onto the sponge filter... and a short clear piece that fits onto the powerhead... and silicone them together?

This would make a sealed "fitting" to allow the powerhead and sponge to be attached without leakage...

 

[JK47]

That does make sense... but can't you stop the bypass?

While I would not want to silicone the powerhead onto the sponge filter... couldn't you take a short clear piece that fits onto the sponge filter... and a short clear piece that fits onto the powerhead... and silicone them together?

This would make a sealed "fitting" to allow the powerhead and sponge to be attached without leakage...

I just ran out to the "box O' fish crap" and realized I have one of those reverse flow kits for the powerhead with a mechanical prefilter.

This guy: http://www.aquariumguys.com/reverseflow.html

I know that would make a tight seal. You see any issues with reversing the flow through the sponge? I don't and this way I get the benifit of having mech first, that would leave optimal conditions for BB. No clogging. What you think?

 

[Toby_H]

I've never had/used that reverse flow kit... but they seeem popular...

So the water will be pulled through the prefilter in the pic above... then pushed through the sponge?

If so... it will be fairly big and clunky... but efficient... So since your sole goal of them is to become seeded material for an upcoming project... sounds great...

 

[JK47]

Just did it. It's a perfect seal, will work exactly like I needed but yeah your right, it looks like a Volkswagen just parked in my tank.

You ever get an idea and go hauling butt over to your tank, do it then stand back and go "oh crap, what did I just do..." I JUST DID! I went to check the fit for tightness and it was good so I rinsed the plumbing and hooked it right up. I forgot to ring out the sponge first.... Now my tank looks like turd soup!!! I'll be doing a water change if you guys need me... Good news is it's obviously getting some good flow judging by what it just did to my tank.


The connecting tube:



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