Sponge Filter more efficient with Powerhead or Air?

[Toby_H]

Probably didn't represent that well in my description. I will be starting a thread about my plans soon. In short, see below.

1) Plumb a 55 gallon drum to my sump with a Rio 3100 I have as an extra. Over flow from the drum goes back to the sump just adding water volume to my system.
2) A series of ball valves will allow me to redirect the water going to the drum to go straight back to the tank. Isolating the drum so I can have free reign to change the water on the drum/let sit as long as I need to to buffer down the PH.
3) When I'm/the waters ready, redirect the water flow back to be part of the system and esecially be a WC.

It would take my tank from 225 to 280 gallons. Changing 50 gallons at a time would be an 18% WC. I would have to do changes frequently but it would stress my fish far less and I would never have to shut down my filters. No buttons but sounds fun to build and use.

This sounds like a completely unnecessary use of time, energy and money...

...but damn does it sound like fun to play with

 

[JK47]

This sounds like a completely unnecessary use of time, energy and money...

...but damn does it sound like fun to play with

Your too funny NC! That's what happens when you move into a rental with tanks only allowed in your garage, one plug in and bored off your ***. It's like being stuck on an island bro!

 

[tcarswell]

Probably didn't represent that well in my description. I will be starting a thread about my plans soon. In short, see below.

1) Plumb a 55 gallon drum to my sump with a Rio 3100 I have as an extra. Over flow from the drum goes back to the sump just adding water volume to my system.
2) A series of ball valves will allow me to redirect the water going to the drum to go straight back to the tank. Isolating the drum so I can have free reign to change the water on the drum/let sit as long as I need to to buffer down the PH.
3) When I'm/the waters ready, redirect the water flow back to be part of the system and esecially be a WC.

It would take my tank from 225 to 280 gallons. Changing 50 gallons at a time would be an 18% WC. I would have to do changes frequently but it would stress my fish far less and I would never have to shut down my filters. No buttons but sounds fun to build and use.

Nice I wish I had the room for something like that.

 

[Dracor]

I use the exact same sponge filter with a power head on my 54 gallon corner tank and it works great. I know my power head came with an airline and has a side connection that pushes air into the tank so I have plenty of oxygen going into the tank all the time. I think my power head pushes 198gallons per hour and works like a champ on my tank. I did have an AC110 on this tank, but wanted something I thought would be better and I have no complaints with the powerhead/sponge filter combo. Also, My powerhead fits right into the sponge filter itself so I didn't have to try any kind of a mod. I'll see if I can borrow a camera and snap a pic and put it on here for you!