The Woefully Underappreciated Sponge Filter

[Source310]

I too would like to know the answer to this question. I just picked up a 20 Gallon Hydor model for my 20G shellie tank and I had to trim the tube quite a bit to where it wasn't sticking out of the water. Also, how much airflow from the airpump is needed for it to be effective? I have an airflow adjuster on my pump and I scaled it back a little because of excessive noise.

The tube is so the bubbles can compact and pull the water up through the sponge easier and with more power.

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[lp85253]

I too would like to know the answer to this question. I just picked up a 20 Gallon Hydor model for my 20G shellie tank and I had to trim the tube quite a bit to where it wasn't sticking out of the water. Also, how much airflow from the airpump is needed for it to be effective? I have an airflow adjuster on my pump and I scaled it back a little because of excessive noise.

it is helpful to have the air tube at least 1" underwater.. so trimming is a good idea.. also more air flow = more water flow

 

[Osmondhund]

You make a good argument for the lowly sponge filter. What about depth? I have a 270 gal. tank that is 36" deep. It takes a considerable amount of pressure to make bubbles at that depth. I am struggling with what type of filtration to use on the 270, sump, or canister. What about a couple of sponge filters in a sump filter or would that be overkill?

 

[letstalkfish]

You make a good argument for the lowly sponge filter. What about depth? I have a 270 gal. tank that is 36" deep. It takes a considerable amount of pressure to make bubbles at that depth. I am struggling with what type of filtration to use on the 270, sump, or canister. What about a couple of sponge filters in a sump filter or would that be overkill?

In all honesty (IMO) there is no such thing as overkill filtration. Actually, a lot of people that I've talked to who run sumps on larger tanks ALSO run canister filters. To produce bubbles at 36" you just need a nice air pump, shouldn't be a huge issue, but if I was you (depending on your bio load in your tanks) sponges would be ADDITIONAL to a combination of canister(s)/sump. I love sponge filters, but really only use them in smaller tanks (my 10g convict breeder runs solely on a sponge, my 55 has a suplemental sponge in addition to 2 HOB ac70's, my 90 has an eheim 2217 + an ac110 but no sponges.)

 

[lp85253]

You make a good argument for the lowly sponge filter. What about depth? I have a 270 gal. tank that is 36" deep. It takes a considerable amount of pressure to make bubbles at that depth. I am struggling with what type of filtration to use on the 270, sump, or canister. What about a couple of sponge filters in a sump filter or would that be overkill?

use a powerhead instead of an air pump

 

[itsalmosteasy]

Reading the first few pages of this thread gave me an idea (I did not read all 21 pages of this thread so someone may have already done this).

Since people place power heads on top of sponge filters to increase flow through them I thought why not place one on the intake of the HOB? My intake looked to be the same size as the parts the sponge filter so it looked like an easy adaptation. Here is what I did:



Works like a charm!

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[lp85253]

Is that an aqueon hob with a mainland intake strainer?

 

[Aqualoon]

Alright, I'm going to setup a 75g African tank solely on sponge filters. With that said could someone link a good air pump? I've only bought whispers before in the past and they have been hit or miss for me.

 

[itsalmosteasy]

Is that an aqueon hob with a mainland intake strainer?

The HOB is a Tetra Whisper EX70. Not sure of the strainer brand.

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[lp85253]

Can't link them but try Penn plax