125 build filter suggestions?

[beau1990]

OK so I scored a 125 for dirt cheap and my Oscars(2) and polys need an upgrade i wanted to do a sump bit I don't think I'm ready for it could I run 4 massive sponge filters(2 powered with power heads and 2 running on air?) I'm trying to make this as silent of a tank as possible because my father in-law loves my tanks and he want to get into the hobby as well but the running water sound makes him think a pipe has burst somewhere help me out guys.

Discuss.

 

[twentyleagues]

Sure you could do sponge filters. They are usually some of the most quite. Sumps are just plain easier to maintenance though. Yes there will be some water sounds, depending on how its set up though they can be pretty quiet. Hes just going to have to get over his obsession or you can just sit back and watch the fun ensue!

 

[beau1990]

Thanks twentyleagues I figured I could get away with them. I'm just waiting for the angry people of this forum to chime in the sponges I'm looking at are good for 75 gallons individually so (in my mind) 4 should be good

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks twentyleagues I figured I could get away with them. I'm just waiting for the angry people of this forum to chime in the sponges I'm looking at are good for 75 gallons individually so (in my mind) 4 should be good

Muh......anger without reason is a sign of ignorance. Uncontrolled anger and lashing out is a sign of stupidity. So take it as you will sponge filters have been used for years with no issue. I believe sumps the better way to go. I have seen nothing but plant filtration and waterchanges work as well.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I love a good sponge filter! I would just go with two pretty large ones instead of four smaller.

A combination that i will throw into my tanks sometimes is a hygger 10w pump hooked into two aquatop 180 sponges. That pump is serious, you wont need powerheads. Plus its pretty affordable and quiet for how powerful it is.

If it werent for the problem of heaters, i would run all my tanks on sponges. I like the extra water volume and capacity of sumps but sponges sure are effective and simple which i love.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Also, look into swiss tropicals mattenfilters or sponge block filters. Ive always been curious about those and i hear great things.

 

[tlindsey]

Arrrgh lol Most don't like sponge filters because of how they look in the aquarium. I personally use them in a couple of my setups. I agree about Sumps being better especially with Large fish such as Oscars. The sponge filters will clog up fast and waste will be sitting near and underneath the sponge filters.

 

[islandguy11]

Sponge lover here, have them in all my bigger tanks, mostly for back-up (and aeration) -- if I lost both canister and OHF filter pumps I'm confident that 1 big sponge filter would be sufficient bio-filtration until I could get the others up and running again. All the SF's are connected to big AC/DC air pumps that will keep running in the case of power outages, gives some good peace of mind.

 

[Zanzag]

Three of my 4 tanks run air driven sponges and my goldfish has been going for about 5 years on just a sponge so they definantly can do the job.

 

[beau1990]

I figured I could get away with them. I'm just waiting for the angry people of this forum to chime in. The sponges I'm looking at are good for 75 gallons individually so (in my mind) 4 should be good