Sponge Filters, Good read, lotta data

**Dave Waits** · 12-13-2012, 07:08 PM

http://www.americanaquariumproducts....iltration.html

**korith** · 12-13-2012, 09:20 PM

Sponge filters, one of the most underrated types of filtration out there. When I learned about them, I got rid of the majority of the hob filters I had running on my 20g, 10g and all those small 2.5 and 5g tanks I had. Run the sponge filters off 2 air pumps. My electric bill went down a fair bit. Cheaper running to 2 air pumps instead of 15-20 little hob filters. Cheaper as well, a few bucks for a sponge filter compared to the price of a hob. Great source of biological filtration and even a bit of mechanical filtration. Really great for fry grow out tanks.

**Goes to 11!** · 12-13-2012, 09:24 PM

While your there read the lighting article also [With all the links - It's worth it]

http://www.americanaquariumproducts...._Lighting.html

**Cermet** · 12-16-2012, 12:21 PM

A sponge filter is highly simple and holds the key part of any common low performance filter bio-action system - that is, filters that break down fish waste and produce a mildly toxic (nitrate) but still deadly final waste that must be removed by water changes. They are ideal for breeding tanks and useful for low density/tech tanks (due to their limited volume cap.)

A filter that is almost as simple but also consumes this final toxic waste, as well, are algae scrubbers. Like regular filters, they can be large and/or complex, there are a class such like sponge filters that are small and very simple (air pump and power for the very low cost LED's) - in tank algae scrubbers.

Algae scrubbers also consume phosphates, something that no other filter will do.

As a side note, this class of filters has been used (for salt water aquariums) to create a 'closed system'; strangely, these are the same basic design that all previous deep space systems meant to support humans for years in a closed system were based on.

Still, they too require weekly up keep (remove the algae in the unit) but if one does have an algae problem, strangely, these units will stop algae growth in the rest of the tank by using all excess nutrients.

All in all, an ideal primary filter or secondary filter.

**Taurus** · 12-16-2012, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by Cermet

A filter that is almost as simple but also consumes this final toxic waste, as well, are algae scrubbers. Like regular filters, they can be large and/or complex, there are a class such like sponge filters that are small and very simple (air pump and power for the very low cost LED's) - in tank algae scrubbers.

LOL...Cermet, ok my friend. We got the message on algae scrubbers.

I mean no offense, so please don't take this the wrong way. Please don't turn into a broken record with the algae scrubber promotion.

You're starting to remind me of a certain individual that promoted New Life Spectrum foods around here all the time.

**Dave Waits** · 12-16-2012, 10:25 PM

Cermet, yes algae scrubbers are a good filter. But, according to the studies I've been reading(One of them is the link I referenced) no other filter matches the biological cleaning of a properly sized and driven Sponge. The reason is that no other filter provides the surface area for bacteria to grow that a proper sponge does. The Hydro-Sponge IV and V, properly driven outperform the AC110 and some cannister filters in this regard. The IV that I have in my tank is driven by a Whisper10-30 choked to 3/4 output by a valve and it moves a measured 125gallons per hour of water. That's a lot of biological cleaning with roughly six times the surface area of AC110 filter media.

**bethyMT** · 12-26-2012, 11:56 PM

Thanks for posting this. The info in the article has done a lot to reassure me that my 20 gallon betta sorority will be well-served by sponge filters. And I can pitch that stupid HOB that's in there(eventually). Good info.

**Goes to 11!** · 12-27-2012, 12:17 AM

I am a user and fan of sponge filters but lets be a bit more careful with our statements and our sources

. . . for real.

Originally Posted by Dave Waits

Cermet, yes algae scrubbers are a good filter. But, according to the studies I've been reading(One of them is the link I referenced) no other filter matches the biological cleaning of a properly sized and driven Sponge. The reason is that no other filter provides the surface area for bacteria to grow that a proper sponge does. The Hydro-Sponge IV and V, properly driven outperform the AC110 and some cannister filters in this regard. The IV that I have in my tank is driven by a Whisper10-30 choked to 3/4 output by a valve and it moves a measured 125gallons per hour of water. That's a lot of biological cleaning with roughly six times the surface area of AC110 filter media.

Be aware that THEY SELL THE SPONGE FILTERS they are talking about, Just saying that readers should be aware that the 'link you referenced' is an advertisement not a study.

The reason is that no other filter provides the surface area for bacteria to grow that a proper sponge does.

As written, This is not a factual statement.

The IV that I have in my tank is driven by a Whisper10-30 choked to 3/4 output by a valve and it moves a measured 125gallons per hour of water

This is something you measured yourself? How old is this filter?
I Would be interested to see the results of those tests repeated at 6 months out and a year out and so on to see how it is holding up.

Please keep us posted.